Decision delayed on late-night entertainment licence at Cotters Park glamping site

Cotter’s Park glamping site near Randalstown

An annual indoor entertainment licence application for a glamping site outside Randalstown has been deferred following discussion at a meeting of Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough Council’s Operations Committee at Antrim Civic Centre on Monday evening.

The application relates to dancing, singing and music – entertainment of a “like kind” – at Cotters Park on Clonkeen Road, operating Thursday to Sunday from 2.00pm until 1.00am, for “no greater than 31 persons”.

Councillors were told planning permission for Cotters Park, located between Randalstown and Toomebridge, was granted by the council in August last year.

The approved planning proposal provided for the retention of glamping pods, a communal building and welcome building, including the erection of three associated pergolas, two new saunas, a site office/reception and storage buildings, a WC building, NIE/plant building, parking and landscaping works.

Council planners received 273 letters of support for the development.

This week’s committee report stated:

“The current application seeks to consider the licensing of events held within a communal welcome building, which is situated on the lake at the centre of the Cotters Park site.

“As part of the application process, consideration has been given to the potential adverse noise impacts on neighbouring properties. Supporting documentation has been submitted, including a detailed noise management plan, an acoustic report, and site management rules governing the use of the communal building.”

Officers recommended that the licence be granted.

An officer told the meeting the application “complies with planning permission”. He added that noise monitoring devices have been installed which will alert management if levels are exceeded.

Ballyclare DUP Councillor Jeannie Archibald-Brown initially proposed that the licensing application be refused, seconded by party colleague Dunsilly Alderman Linda Clarke.

Macedon Ulster Unionist Councillor Robert Foster queried the proposed hours of operation, saying it could prove “difficult to police”. However, he acknowledged that a “noise management plan will be supplemented with management controls”.

Councillor Foster also asked how the number of people on site would be managed and was told there would be a sign-in process.

In response to a query from Macedon Alliance Councillor Billy Webb MBE regarding procedure, an officer advised that legal advice would be to defer the application to the next committee meeting “to allow the applicant to make representation”.

Following that advice, Councillor Archibald-Brown proposed that a decision be deferred. Councillor Foster seconded the proposal for deferral.

At a Glance

• Application: Annual indoor entertainment licence

• Location: Cotters Park, Clonkeen Road, between Randalstown and Toomebridge

• Proposed hours: Thursday to Sunday, 2.00pm to 1.00am

• Capacity: No greater than 31 persons

• Entertainment type: Dancing, singing, music and similar entertainment

• Planning status: Permission granted August last year

• Support received: 273 letters of support

• Key issue raised: Noise management and enforcement of hours

• Committee decision: Deferred to next meeting to allow applicant representation