Speculation mounts over Ballyclare relief road

Local political representatives have said that it is not yet common knowledge who the new owners of the land are.

The previous development plan included a proposal for a £25m relief road linking Rashee Road, Doagh Road and Templepatrick Road. However, the scheme was scrapped after the company behind the ‘Westlands’ project went out of business.

The sale of the land has raised hopes that work could finally commence on the much-needed bypass road.

South Antrim DUP MLA Paul Girvan said: “My understanding is that there will be some houses built which already have approval, but any further building will have to have the road delivered.

“There are 52 houses which can be built under the original KPL application. Developers can only construct these 52 houses in Readers Park without delivering the road. I had put a marker down before the land was sold, stating that any future development of this site would include the relief road as a key part of it.

“I will be opposing any future application if the road is not part of it. I am also looking to see if there is a mechanism that can be put in place to put a ‘roof tax’ on any future developments in the Ballyclare area.”