Council approves 24-home development on site of former Ruby’s Bar in Larne

The former Ruby’s Bar on Old Glenarm Road, Larne

Planning permission has been approved by Mid and East Antrim Borough Council for the demolition of a public house and the construction of new housing on Old Glenarm Road in Larne.

The development proposal by applicant Harry Diamond of Ruby Homes (NI) Ltd relates to the site of Ruby’s Bar and includes a mix of social and private “market” housing.

The scheme proposes 24 dwellings comprising 12 three-bedroom houses, eight one-bedroom apartments and four two-bedroom apartments. Works will include new access arrangements at Old Glenarm Road, parking and landscaping.

A development management officer’s report stated:

“This site is located at 168 Old Glenarm Road. The brownfield site incorporates Ruby’s Bar, which has been vacant for a period of time, and the adjacent car park.”

Site plan for the approved 24-home development on the site of the former Ruby’s Bar, Old Glenarm Road, in Larne

Front and side elevations of the apartment block that will be built on the former Ruby’s Bar site at Old Glenarm Road in Larne

The proposed layout includes a three-storey apartment building and six pairs of two-storey semi-detached houses. The apartment building will be positioned with its gable end facing the road at the south-eastern corner of the site.

“The apartments proposed will not detrimentally impact upon the character of the area. The site can accommodate the residential layout proposed and will not result in over-development of the site.

“The layout of the proposed dwellings is such that there will not be any detrimental impact upon the privacy of existing dwellings,” the report noted.

DfI Roads was consulted and raised no objection to the scheme.

“The access will not prejudice road safety or significantly inconvenience the flow of road users,” the report said.

The officer also stated that it would not be reasonable to withhold a planning determination pending the development of wastewater infrastructure in the area.

A condition will be attached to the approval requiring that a resolution is reached before development commences.

Front and side elevations of House Type B which will be built on the former Ruby’s Bar site at Old Glenarm Road in Larne

The Northern Ireland Housing Executive confirmed it is content with the proposed social housing mix, which will comprise 18 of the 24 units. These will include two one-bedroom wheelchair-accessible apartments, six one-bedroom apartments, four two-bedroom apartments and six three-bedroom houses.

In a letter submitted as part of the application, the Housing Executive said:

“The Housing Executive carries out a housing needs assessment annually to identify social housing need. The proposed development is located within Larne Town housing need area which has an unmet need of 155 social housing units for the 2024-29 period.

“At March 2025, there were 368 households deemed to be in housing stress.

“At this time, there were 102 elderly applicants; 177 families and 214 singles. Allocations were made to 21 elderly applicants; 25 families and 32 singles.”