What’s next for Ballee Playing Fields? Public consultation begins for debated Ballymena land sale

A consultation is launching on the proposed site of mix use development on former publicly owned land at Ballee Playing Fields, in Ballymena.

A new chapter in the long-running debate over the future of Ballee Playing Fields in Ballymena is about to begin, after Mid and East Antrim Borough Council approved a Planning Application Notice (PAN) for a major mixed-use development on the site.

The land off Ballee Road West — formerly owned by the council — could be transformed into a large commercial and community development including drive-thru restaurants, leisure space and a community hub.

The proposal submitted in recent weeks outlines plans for a “mixed use development, including drive thru restaurants, car hire facility, car showroom, recreation areas, community hub, changing pavilion, community and cultural uses, car parking, landscaping, access works and all associated site works.”

The site spans approximately 7.5 hectares and was previously sold by the local authority for more than £1.1 million to JHT Property Development Limited, a holding company of Portadown-based construction firm JH Turkington & Sons Limited.

Controversial land sale

The sale of the public land attracted significant controversy when a group of councillors backed the Turkington bid despite a competing offer from local businessman Josh Mulholland, owner of Raceview Karting in Ballymena.

Mr Mulholland’s proposal — just £50,000 less than the winning bid — would have developed the site as a large family entertainment complex. His plans included an outdoor electric karting circuit, indoor karting tracks, bowling lanes, soft play, padel courts, mini-golf, arcade space and a full-size 4G football pitch alongside a family restaurant and solar energy infrastructure.

Plans submitted by Josh Mulholland of Raceview Karting for the Ballee Playing Fields site proposing a new family attraction destination for Ballymena

Last year he called for a transparent review of the council’s decision.

In July 2025, a year after the sale was agreed, Mr Mulholland told Love Ballymena:

“It’s now been over a year since the decision to dispose of this important public asset — and to our understanding, no sale has been completed and no contracts have been signed. That means no jobs created, no economic benefit delivered, and no rates collected. The site remains dormant.

“We believe the Council has both the legal right and the public responsibility to step back and ask if this truly the best deal for the people of Mid and East Antrim.”

He continued:

“Raceview Karting Ltd has submitted a shovel-ready plan to transform the 10-acre site into a major family entertainment and leisure facility, which would create over 60 full time jobs including apprenticeships, 150,000–200,000 visitors to Ballymena per year, £4–6 million in projected annual local economic impact.

“This is a fully funded, long-term investment in Ballymena. It is open to the public, family-oriented, and delivers direct social and economic value to the Borough.”

Public consultation phase begins

While detailed plans from Turkington have not yet been publicly outlined, the approval of the Planning Application Notice signals the beginning of a formal Pre-Application Community Consultation (PACC) process.

As part of this consultation, members of the public will be invited to attend an in-person drop-in event at the Adair Arms Hotel in Ballymena on 26 March 2026 between 3pm and 7pm, where information about the proposal will be presented.

A dedicated consultation website will also go live on 9 March 2026, providing access to the project’s consultation documentation and site proposals. The online consultation will run for over 28 days, closing at 5pm on Tuesday 6 April 2026.

The website will replicate the traditional planning consultation display boards and will include an online feedback form along with direct contact details for the technical team involved in the project.

Local residents to be contacted

Residents living closest to the site will also receive direct notification about the consultation.

A neighbourhood information leaflet will be distributed to properties within approximately 200 metres of the site boundary, explaining the consultation process, the upcoming drop-in event and how people can submit comments or questions.

The consultation will gather feedback ahead of a formal planning application being submitted for the redevelopment of the site — a project that has already generated significant public interest and debate about the future use of one of Ballymena’s most prominent former public assets.

At a glance

• Mid and East Antrim Borough Council has approved a Planning Application Notice for a mixed-use development at Ballee Playing Fields in Ballymena.

• The proposal includes drive-thru restaurants, a car showroom, recreation space, a community hub, changing pavilion and parking.

• The 7.5-hectare site was sold by the council for over £1.1 million to JHT Property Development Limited, linked to JH Turkington & Sons Limited.

• The sale previously sparked controversy after a competing bid from Raceview Karting owner Josh Mulholland was rejected despite being only £50,000 lower.

• A public drop-in consultation event will take place at the Adair Arms Hotel on 26 March 2026 from 3pm to 7pm.

• An online consultation website will run from 9 March to 6 April 2026 to gather public feedback.

• Residents living within around 200 metres of the site will receive information about the consultation and how to submit comments.