Ballymena retreat for disabled children gets planning approval

A CGI of the proposed Love Hope and Faith charity retreat for disabled children located at the Ecos Nature Park in Ballymena

A proposed retreat for families with disabled children at the ECOS site in Ballymena has been given the green light.

The application was approved by Mid and East Antrim Borough Council’s Planning Committee at a recent meeting.

Senior planning officer Henry McAlister informed the committee that the proposal, submitted by Ballymena-based charity Love Hope and Faith, relates to a site north of the ECOS Hub building at Kernohan’s Lane.

Mr McAlister noted that the location had previously been used as a caravan park, with mature trees planted along the northern boundary to provide screening. He explained that the plan includes a single-storey building with two bedrooms, a kitchen, a living room, a cinema room, and a hydrotherapy pool. Additional landscaping is also proposed.

“There will be substantial community benefits arising from this proposed development. Although the site is zoned as open space, the community benefits would outweigh the loss of a small portion of open space within the wider ECOS park,” he said.

No objections were received from members of the public or statutory consultees, which included the Department for Infrastructure (DfI) Roads, DfI Rivers, and NI Water. Mr McAlister recommended approval.

North Antrim TUV MLA Timothy Gaston welcomed the proposal, describing the retreat as a “custom-designed” facility for families and children with disabilities.

“This facility will serve as a home-from-home, offering a place to relax, recuperate, and spend quality time together,” he said.

“From a planning perspective, this application is straightforward. It meets all relevant policies, and notably, there have been no objections from statutory consultees or members of the public.”

He continued:

“Beyond that, this application offers immeasurable community benefit, positively impacting the lives of children and their families not just in Mid and East Antrim but across Northern Ireland.”

Mr Gaston praised the plan to transform a former caravan park—vacant since 1998—into “something truly meaningful: a sanctuary for families and children with disabilities.”

“For many families, travelling abroad isn’t an option due to the level of medical care and equipment required. As a result, they often go without a much-needed break. This facility provides an opportunity to get away without the stress or barriers of travel,” he added.

He also highlighted the importance of the hydrotherapy pool:

“Not only will it offer significant health benefits for the children and families staying at the retreat, but it will also support the long-term financial sustainability of the facility.

“When not in use by residents, the pool will be available to local children with disabilities, meeting a pressing local need.

“This retreat will be the first of its kind in Northern Ireland and represents a £500,000 investment in our local economy.”

Mr Gaston explained that Love Hope and Faith was established to help children with spina bifida and hydrocephalus—lifelong conditions that present daily challenges.

“The charity provides practical assistance, emotional support, and vital equipment to those who need it,” he said. “In its seven years of service, this charity has been powered by volunteers—people filled with energy, dedication, and community spirit.”

Knockagh Alliance Councillor Aaron Skinner also welcomed the application, saying: “I know respite provision, particularly in the Northern Trust, is shambolic at best. It’s brilliant to see this coming forward.”

Larne Lough DUP Alderman Paul Reid queried whether the site was on a floodplain, noting a report of flooding in 1993. An officer confirmed that while there had been historical flooding, the floodplain had since been remodelled and the site now lies outside the flood zone.

Coast Road Sinn Féin Councillor James McKeown proposed accepting the recommendation to approve the application.

Bannside DUP Alderman Tom Gordon, who seconded the proposal, added: “I know the site very well. The former caravan park has been derelict for over 25 years. I’d be quite happy to support this.”

The application was approved unanimously.

Following the approval a spokesperson for the local charity, Love Hope and Faith, said:

“As a collective we’d like to sincerely thank MEA Council and the Planning Department for granting permission for our recent full planning application in the ECOS.

“The retreat will include a hydrotherapy pool, kitchen facilities, bedrooms each featuring an attached wet room, and a custom-designed cinema.

“The next step in the process is to secure £500K of capital funding. We’ll task S3 Solutions to support the funding for this project.

“There is nothing like a dream to create the future.”

“We want to express our sincere gratitude to Timothy Gaston MLA for his invaluable support and professionalism from the start of this project.”