Major Roger Casement GAC development gets green light in Portglenone

Planning permission has been approved for a major new sports and community hub at Roger Casement GAC following a meeting of Mid and East Antrim Borough Council’s Planning Committee at The Braid in Ballymena last week.

The development at Gortgole Road will include a multi-purpose pavilion, floodlit 4G playing field, play park, spectator terraces, additional car parking, landscaping, fencing and associated site works.

The proposal also includes a new access onto Lovers Lane and upgrades to the existing road infrastructure.

A planning officer told councillors that Bracknamuckley Forest lies to the west of the rural site, with the River Bann located approximately 200 metres away.

Aerial views of the site location for major new sports and community hub at Roger Casement GAC in Portglenone

Site plan for major new sports and community hub at Roger Casement GAC in Portglenone

Committee members heard the proposed two-storey community pavilion will include training space, welfare facilities, meeting rooms, a multi-purpose hall, changing rooms, toilets, health and fitness suites, kitchen and dining facilities, and office accommodation.

A balcony area will overlook the new 4G playing field.

The floodlit pitch will include 12-metre-high ball-stop nets at either end, while an enclosed children’s play park is planned to the north of the site.

An additional 102 parking spaces are also proposed, increasing overall on-site parking capacity to 310 spaces, including coach parking.

Two covered spectator terraces will be constructed along the northern and southern boundaries of the existing playing fields.

Views of the new 3G pitch and community sports hub at Roger Casement GAC in Portglenone

The planning officer noted that the applicant had submitted a flood risk assessment which demonstrated that the southern section of the site is “only marginally within the floodplain”.

Rivers Agency was consulted as part of the process and raised no objection to the application.

The officer said the proposal was considered acceptable and in line with the council’s planning strategy and relevant material considerations, with approval recommended.

During discussion at the committee, Ballymena DUP Alderman Reuben Glover asked about a previously proposed memorial garden.

A planning consultant told members the memorial garden formed part of an earlier proposal and is no longer included, with the play park now planned for that location instead.

Larne Lough Alliance Alderman Robert Logan proposed accepting the officer’s recommendation, describing the development as “good news for Portglenone”.

The proposal was seconded by Coast Road Sinn Féin councillor James McKeown.

The Mayor, Bannside Ulster Unionist councillor Jackson Minford, raised concerns over pedestrian safety near the site and asked whether there was an option to extend an existing footpath or incorporate works into another planned scheme in the area.

Councillors were advised that the planning decision had to be based on the proposal currently before the committee, although local negotiations could potentially take place separately.

Cllr Minford said he believed the existing footpath “terminates very quickly” and described the issue as a safety concern.

He urged that the footpath should be extended.

The council’s head of planning responded:

“We do not have the facility to amend the plans as part of this decision-making process.”

He added there may be a willingness from the club to engage with the local community on the issue.

Planning permission was ultimately approved after six councillors voted in favour, with one voting against.