'Talk of the country'

Independent representative, Price McConaghy, said the structure beside the town’s Millennium Park has attracted attention far and wide.

Work began on a building but it was never completed and has been left as a shell of a structure for some time.

Cllr McConaghy told a Moyle Council meeting: “It is the talk of the country. Everybody that comes through Bushmills remarks about this building and what Moyle Council is doing.”

He said the Council had to take “serious action” to have the eyesore removed before the summer season.

Ulster Unionist councillor Willie Graham agreed with the sentiments.

DUP councillor David McAllister said he understood there is a new owner of the property and the “blot on the landscape” will be pulled down.

Staying in Bushmills, and councillors have welcomed planning permission for an extension and internal renovations to an existing public bar to form two-self catering apartments, 18 hotel rooms, restaurant and associated ancillary accommodation along with siteworks at 124 - 126 Main Street in the town.

Council Chairperson, Cllr Cara McShane (Sinn Fein), said it was good to see more tourism accommodation in the area.

Council Vice-Chair, Cllr Robert McIlroy (DUP), said it was good to see diversification and “certainly will bring heart into the village of Bushmills”.

Cllr McAllister said the applicant asked him to thank planners and especially planning officer Julie McMath for her hard work in the case.