A planning application for a proposed glamping site in Randalstown was deferred at a meeting of Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough Council’s Planning Committee on Monday evening.
The application for six pods at Ballydunmaul Road was postponed until the committee’s June meeting.
Planning officer Kieran O’Connell told the committee there were a number of objections to the proposal.
However, he said that there would be no impact on neighbouring properties and no road safety concerns and the recommendation was to grant planning permission.
The site is currently an agricultural field with a man-made lake in the centre.
Addressing the committee on behalf of objectors, Dunsilly SDLP Councillor Ryan Wilson questioned the need for tourist accommodation in this rural area.
“Whilst we welcome growth of tourism in the borough, we have to weigh it up with responsibility to residents,” said Cllr Wilson.
He noted that the location is two-and-a-half miles from the nearest town which is Randalstown, there is no public transport on the route and it is “miles away from the nearest amenity”.
He claimed that the development would “influence” the number of car journeys in the area to potentially more than 20,000 per year.
He reported a “history of fatal car accidents” in the area and he suggested that the development would “prejudice road safety”.
Sixteen letters of objection were received by planners. There was no objection by Department for Infrastructure (DfI) Roads.
Objections indicated lack of demand for the proposal, laneway access, potential impact upon amenity, character of the area and natural environment and road safety.
Dr Kevin Pelan told the meeting that he was speaking on behalf of “quite a number of residents”.
He suggested there would be a “significant increase” in traffic which he estimated would result in an additional 25,000 car journeys in the area annually. He reported a road fatality in the vicinity.
Dr Pelan continued:
“We do not believe the site has landscaping capacity to absorb the proposed development.”
He also questioned the height of the proposed pods.
“This site will be lit up like a proverbial Christmas tree,” he alleged.
Addressing the meeting, speaker Paul Heron said the application will be in support of an agri-food co-operative and would promote “food tourism”.
He indicated that the proposal has a “sustainable theme” adding that “every effort will be made to encourage wildlife” with the applicant working with a local ecologist.
He went on to say that the development would “make use of land that is unproductive”, describing the cabins as “modest” and “appropriate to context”.
“Food tourism is a major reason people come to Northern Ireland,” he said.
He also pointed out that Roads Service has been consulted “a number of times”.
In response to a query by Ballyclare Ulster Unionist Cllr Norrie Ramsay, Mr Heron confirmed the proposed development is holiday accommodation that would be open all year.
“It is a low impact development. The pods can be removed if required. The lighting will have no impact on bats at night,” added Mr Heron.
Ballyclare DUP Cllr Jeannie Archibald-Brown proposed the application be deferred pending a further report, seconded by Antrim DUP Alderman John Smyth.
The application was deferred following a vote with four councillors in favour and three against.
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