'We want Tesco announcement soon' - Blaney

Independent representative Seamus Blaney quizzed a planning officer about the latest stage of the process.

Speaking at a meeting of Moyle Council, the councillor asked Planning Officer Julie McMath about developments.

Ms McMath said they had received additional information regarding the plans and are currently consulting on the issue.

“When we have all consultees back only then will we make a decision,” she added.

No timeframe has been given as to when a decision on the proposal may be made.

Speaking to the Times after the meeting, Councillor Blaney said people in Ballycastle are crying out for a Tesco store.

“It would be great if we heard something on this before Christmas and building was able to start in the New Year with a store up and running well before Christmas of 2011. That would be a great Christmas present for Ballycastle and surrounding districts.

“At the moment many people travel out of the town to Coleraine and Ballymoney to do their main grocery shopping and while I have nothing against both places it will be better if local people are able to do that in the town and save money on petrol and also do other shopping in Ballycastle.

“I was in Coleraine at ASDA last week and in a short period of time I counted about ten people from Ballycastle. After coming out I went to a couple of other shops in Coleraine but if there was a Tesco in Ballycastle people like myself could then pick up other bits and pieces in Ballycastle town centre,” said the councillor.

Meanwhile, Councillor Blaney says Sinn Fein have been “acting strangely” regarding the proposed Tesco store in Ballycastle.

“Sinn Fein and Daithi McKay have been a bit ambivalent on this. Are they going to come out and say they are for the Leyland Road site. Can they put that down in black and white?

“They seem to be shifting from their previous position because they see the way public opinion is on the issue and at one stage in the Council Chamber the then Sinn Fein Council Chairperson would not even allow me to speak on the matter,” said Cllr Blaney.

Meanwhile, in a statement to the Times, North Antrim Sinn Fin MLA Daith McKay has said that Planning Service should reach a decision regarding the Tesco application as soon as possible.

Mr McKay was speaking after meeting with the Chamber of Commerce, Tesco and local taxi driver Martin McCormick who has been prominent in the Tesco campaign.

Mr McKay said: “People in Ballycastle have different views on the application for a Tesco store in the town and I think its important to clarify two points concerning Sinn Fin’s position on this.

“Firstly Sinn Fin supports Tesco coming to the town of Ballycastle . Secondly Sinn Fin does not, and will not, oppose a planning application for a Tesco store at Leyland Road .

“However we believe that Tesco and the Chamber of Commerce should engage constructively around all issues of contention and try and resolve these.

“After meeting with all the parties involved, we feel that Planning Service should try and come to a final decision in regard to this application now that members of the public have responded to it and that appropriate documentation has been submitted,” said Mr McKay.