Tesco supporter urges company to 'get on with supermarket plans' in Ballycastle

The caller to the Times, who did not wish his name in print, said virtually everyone he had spoken to was in favour of the development and accused the majority of Moyle councillors of a blinkered approach in turning down support for the application.

He said: “A 12 feet high wooden fence has been up on the Leyland Road for the past two years and it’s becoming an eyesore.

It’s like a jungle in behind and residents here just want Tesco to push ahead with their plans so that we can get an outcome.

“I would love to see Tesco come to Ballycastle, but this thing has been going on for far too long. Councillors and the Chamber of Commerce talk about it killing the town centre, but in my opinion, people would welcome going to a store where there’s no problem in parking or lorries loading and unloading and generally cluttering the place.

“You go down Ann Street or Castle Street and it’s a nightmare. You can’t get parked or moving for vehicles double parked and the traders don’t want to see change.

“They opposed a one-way system. They don’t seem to want to progress.

“In my opinion, Tescos would bring a major retail boost to the town and their arrival would end a monopoly and bring about much better competition.”