Public outcry as it’s revealed councillors rejected family leisure proposal for Ballee Playing Fields

Aerial view of Ballee Playing Fields, Ballymena

Mid and East Antrim Borough Council is facing public scrutiny after it was revealed last week that councillors voted to reject a wide-ranging proposal to transform Ballee Playing Fields into a flagship family entertainment complex, instead choosing the highest bidder.

The rejected vision, led by Josh Mulholland of Raceview Karting, included electric go-karts, ten-pin bowling, padel ball courts, arcade games, and more – facilities that many residents say Ballymena is sorely lacking.

In early 2024, the Council placed the Ballee Playing Fields site on the market with an asking price of offers around £750,000. Three offers were received, and elected members were invited to vote on the proposals at a closed-door meeting held on 10 June 2024.

Mr Mulholland’s proposal was not selected. Instead, the councillors opted to accept the highest monetary bid, reportedly from a developer who now has plans to construct a new car showroom at the site.

One year on, Love Ballymena understands the sale has yet to be legally completed, and no planning application has been submitted for any community projects on the site.

A Transformative community vision

The proposal submitted by Josh Mulholland, owner of the successful Raceview Karting business on Woodside Road, included a comprehensive vision to relocate and significantly expand his operations on the Ballee site.

“The business has been very successful but is heavily constrained by the size of the building and the site and in order to provide upgraded facilities and both indoor and outdoor tracks it will be necessary for the business to relocate,” the proposal read.

“Mr Mulholland sees Ballee Rd West as the perfect location… as it provides both the extensive, flat area required for a large outdoor track, and is in a more accessible location adjacent to the Seven Towers roundabout on the heavily-trafficked A26.”

Design masterplan proposed by Josh Mulholland

The masterplan included:

• Outdoor Electric Go-Kart Track

A large, modern outdoor karting track using electric karts, located at the southern end of the site near the Seven Towers roundabout, with significantly reduced noise levels and no fossil fuel emissions.

• Indoor and Children’s Karting Tracks

Smaller tracks for all-weather indoor karting and a covered children’s karting area, with access through the main building which would also house driver briefing rooms and changing facilities. A spectator area was proposed on the first floor.

• Ten-Pin Bowling Alley

Ballymena currently lacks a bowling facility, although a recent planning application has been lodged to provide this in the town. The proposed indoor space would host a full modern ten-pin bowling setup as a cornerstone of the family-friendly offer.

• Full-Size 4G Sports Pitch

To the west of the site, a full-sized synthetic pitch would be available for local school and private group use.

• Padel Ball Courts

A new addition to Northern Ireland’s growing sport scene, the proposal included several indoor padel ball courts to serve a growing demand for the sport.

• Outdoor Mini Golf

An outdoor mini golf course was to be included, filling a notable gap in the town’s current entertainment options.

• Arcade, Gaming, and Event Space

Dedicated space within the building for arcade games and events, designed as a complimentary entertainment hub to enhance the experience.

• Children’s Indoor and Outdoor Play Areas

An indoor soft play centre alongside a large outdoor play park, with equipment tailored for children of all ages.

• Sustainable Energy Features

The proposal included a solar panel array with on-site battery storage, aimed at powering the electric karts and facility operations – part of Mr Mulholland’s commitment to environmental responsibility.

“Overall, the proposals will deliver a modern family entertainment complex in a very accessible location in Ballymena,” the proposal concluded.

“The complex will provide a number of facilities that are not currently available… and delivering these within a single complex will be convenient for families… The proposals will deliver considerable benefit to the local community in Ballymena, as well as the entire Council area and beyond.”

Council votes against the proposal

Despite the wide-ranging community and sustainability benefits, the Council voted 17–14 in favour of “Offer 3” – the highest financial bid on the table.

Record of the vote when the majority of Mid and East Antrim councillors voted for ‘Offer 3’

DUP Alderman William McCaughey, who proposed the motion to accept the highest offer, this week told Love Ballymena:

“Best value for the ratepayer must always be a consideration when making a final choice on such important matters.”

Love Ballymena also spoke to DUP Councillor Lawrie Philpott, who last June seconded the proposal, said:

“I was really happy that the site was being sold and the proposals for a community space written in.

“The highest bid won the tender but it wasn’t just because it was the highest bid… commercial and community development was key.

“I look forward to seeing this site developed… What I would like to see is a large space for the community to be able to access and enjoy.”

However, Mid and East Antrim Borough Council has since confirmed:

“The sale of the Ballee Playing Fields was agreed to the highest bidder, but the sale has not yet completed. We understand that part of the site will be allocated to community use, but no planning application has been lodged to date.”

Political and public backlash

TUV MLA for North Antrim, Timothy Gaston – previously a councillor for the Bannside area – strongly opposed the outcome:

“Prior to putting the Ballee lands on the market, myself and the other TUV Councillors pressed the need for a section of this site to be zoned for community use.

“As the minutes outline, three bids were presented to Councillors, two of these were clear in setting out their plans for both the site and how it would incorporate community use and the other was a monetary value.

“Regrettably the bid accepted by the majority of Councillors was based on the monetary value and not the community value the minority of us were after.

“This is the last remaining site in the Ballymena South area and it’s imperative it’s utilised to ensure regeneration and has a community involvement for the town.

“The recorded vote is clear for all to see how Councillors voted on the 10th June 2024.

“I am heartened to see that one of the bidders has outlined their proposal and commitment, with land availability, to still deliver their vision but ultimately I’m disappointed no assurances were sought upfront from the winning bid.”

Public reaction: “A shortsighted decision”

The decision has sparked widespread public backlash, particularly after it emerged that the chosen bidder is rumoured to have intentions to develop a new car showroom — and that one year on, the legal completion of the sale has yet to be finalised.

Angry residents took to social media to express their disappointment at the Council’s rejection of Raceview Karting’s proposal.

Comments included:

• “That’s a disgrace actually… please don’t give up on this! Get a petition going!”

• “Those proposals you have would be awesome for the town and an investment in motorsport for a change too.”

• “Shame on every single one of those councillors who decided to go for the highest bidder instead of helping the community.”

• “That’s the kind of ambition this town has been crying out for and also a demand that this town is crying out for. Would have been top drawer to see this implemented.”

• “Why would the Council not… fully support this for the town – madness.”

• “I’m absolutely disgusted to read this. What a wrong decision. As a community we need to all get behind plans like yours to ensure we get what benefits the families here not what makes the Council the most money. What a shortsighted decision. How can they not see the wider benefits this would bring to the whole area. I hope you continue in your efforts!”

“Still fully committed”

Despite the Council’s rejection, Josh Mulholland remains undeterred:

“The whole Raceview team was genuinely disappointed and, frankly, bewildered by the Council’s decision.

“We put everything into a proposal that we believed would bring real value to Ballymena.”

He added:

“We’re still fully committed to making this facility a reality, and if the site were ever to become available again, we would jump at the opportunity to bring our vision to life.”

As Ballymena continues to search for meaningful regeneration, many residents and community leaders argue that a bold, inclusive, and family-focused approach is exactly what the town needs – and that the rejected proposal may yet represent a missed opportunity for lasting impact.