Co Antrim: Proposed sports and community hub with over 100 additional car parking spaces approved for Roger Casement GAC
Planning permission was approved for a proposed sports and community hub at Roger Casement GAC, Gortgole Road, Portglenone, at a meeting of Mid and East Antrim Borough Council’s Planning Committee at The Braid, in Ballymena, last week.
The proposal includes a multi-purpose pavilion, 4G playing field, play park, two spectator terraces, car parking, landscaping, floodlighting, new access onto and upgrade of Lovers Lane, fencing and site works.
A planning officer said that Bracknamuckley Forest is to the west of the rural site with the River Bann, 200 metres to the west.
He indicated that the proposed community pavilion will be two-storeys comprising of training space, welfare facilities, meeting rooms, multi-purpose hall, changing rooms, toilets, health and fitness suites, kitchen and dining space as well as office accommodation. A balcony will open onto 4G playing field.
He went on to say that the proposed floodlit 4G playing field will have 12- metre high ball nets at either end. An enclosed children’s play park is proposed to the north of the site. An additional 102 car parking spaces will be provided, bringing the total on-site to 310 to include coach parking.
Two covered spectator terraces will be located along the northern and southern boundaries of the existing playing fields.
The officer noted that the applicant has submitted a flood risk assessment demonstrating the south of the site is “only marginally within the floodplain”. He reported that the Rivers Agency was consulted and offered no objection.
He stated that the proposal is considered “acceptable” and is in accordance with Mid and East Antrim Borough Council’s planning strategy and material considerations with approval recommended.
In response to a query from Ballymena DUP Alderman Reuben Glover over a memorial garden, he was told by a planning consultant that this was part of a previous proposal and is no longer planned with a play park proposed at the location.
Larne Lough Alliance Alderman Robert Logan proposed accepting the officer’s recommendation to approve the application, saying that it was “good news for Portglenone”. The proposal was seconded by Coast Road Sinn Fein Cllr James McKeown.
The Mayor, Bannside Ulster Unionist Cllr Jackson Minford, highlighted a concern over pedestrian safety, asking if there was an option to extend a footpath and if it could be incorporated into another scheme planned in the area.
He was advised that a planning decision must be based on the existing proposal but it may be possible to enter into negotiations locally.
Cllr Minford said that he believed that a footpath at the site is “terminating very quickly” and he believed it to be “an issue”. He asked for the footpath to be extended.
The local government authority’s head of planning commented: “We do not have the facility to amend the plans as part of this decision-making process.”
He suggested that there may be a willingness for the club to engage with the local community. Planning permission was approved after six councillors voted in favour with one against.
Michelle Weir, Local Democracy Reporter