Menu
13/06/2008
Residents 'Furious' Over Plans To Demolish Country Pub
Residents of a County Antrim village are said to be "furious" over proposals to demolish a country pub and build apartments on the site.
The Newtownabbey Times reported two applications were made to the Department of the Environment Planning Office - both in the name of a Mr K. Montgomery - for 12 residential units and two retail units, with car parking for the Ballynure Ballad Inn site in Ballynure.
An initial application was submitted on November 2005 for the pub site at Main Street, and it is understood it is in the final stages of consultation.
The second application, launched in February of this year, is described as being in "the early stages of the planning process".
If successful, it would include the demolition of buildings from 27a to 37 Main Street and will see 36 new homes, car parking and associated landscaping.
Local residents have revealed their anger at the plans. One local, who did not wish to be named, spoke to The Newtownabbey Times, saying: "One sure way to kill a village is to close its pub."
"Why close an important centre of the village to replace it with more apartments? Why can a new pub not be part of the redevelopment? The land around the pub could be developed so that the Ballad could be left alone."
The Ballynure and District Community Association have lodged n objection with the Planning Office, stating the loss of the commercial unit would be "detrimental to the expansion of the village".
Peter Watson, Association Chairman, revealed the group has brought up the issue of the dangers a further increase in traffic would bring to the narrow road.
He said: "Planning Service have replied with a standard response, indicating to us that they are unlikely to take the slightest notice of our objection.
"At no time have the Planning Office approached the Community Association or, to our knowledge, taken any survey or note of residents' views on this development."
The Ballad Inn - named after the traditional Ballad of Ballynure, made famous by Tommy Maken - is a popular pub with locals, which hosts weekly live music sessions and charity events.
(JM)
The Newtownabbey Times reported two applications were made to the Department of the Environment Planning Office - both in the name of a Mr K. Montgomery - for 12 residential units and two retail units, with car parking for the Ballynure Ballad Inn site in Ballynure.
An initial application was submitted on November 2005 for the pub site at Main Street, and it is understood it is in the final stages of consultation.
The second application, launched in February of this year, is described as being in "the early stages of the planning process".
If successful, it would include the demolition of buildings from 27a to 37 Main Street and will see 36 new homes, car parking and associated landscaping.
Local residents have revealed their anger at the plans. One local, who did not wish to be named, spoke to The Newtownabbey Times, saying: "One sure way to kill a village is to close its pub."
"Why close an important centre of the village to replace it with more apartments? Why can a new pub not be part of the redevelopment? The land around the pub could be developed so that the Ballad could be left alone."
The Ballynure and District Community Association have lodged n objection with the Planning Office, stating the loss of the commercial unit would be "detrimental to the expansion of the village".
Peter Watson, Association Chairman, revealed the group has brought up the issue of the dangers a further increase in traffic would bring to the narrow road.
He said: "Planning Service have replied with a standard response, indicating to us that they are unlikely to take the slightest notice of our objection.
"At no time have the Planning Office approached the Community Association or, to our knowledge, taken any survey or note of residents' views on this development."
The Ballad Inn - named after the traditional Ballad of Ballynure, made famous by Tommy Maken - is a popular pub with locals, which hosts weekly live music sessions and charity events.
(JM)
Related Northern Ireland News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
18 November 2020
65-Year-Old Man Arrested In Connection With Birmingham Pub Bombings
A 65-year-old man has been arrested in connection with the 1974 Birmingham pub bombings. Twenty one people were killed and some 220 people injured when bombs exploded at the Mulberry Bush and the Tavern in the Town on the night of 21 November, 1974.
65-Year-Old Man Arrested In Connection With Birmingham Pub Bombings
A 65-year-old man has been arrested in connection with the 1974 Birmingham pub bombings. Twenty one people were killed and some 220 people injured when bombs exploded at the Mulberry Bush and the Tavern in the Town on the night of 21 November, 1974.
08 April 2014
No New Inquiry Into Birmingham Pub Bombings
Police have said there will be no new inquiry into the Birmingham pub bombings which killed 21 people and injured another 182 at Mulberry Bush and the Tavern in the Town in November 1974. Six people were wrongly jailed in 1975 and spent 17 years in jail, until 1991 when their convictions were quashed.
No New Inquiry Into Birmingham Pub Bombings
Police have said there will be no new inquiry into the Birmingham pub bombings which killed 21 people and injured another 182 at Mulberry Bush and the Tavern in the Town in November 1974. Six people were wrongly jailed in 1975 and spent 17 years in jail, until 1991 when their convictions were quashed.
04 January 2018
Belfast City Council To Reform Planning Services
Belfast City Council has announced it's intention to reform Planning Services, with a renewed focus on how it communicates with various customer groups. The announcement follows recommendations in a report it commissioned by Scotland's former Chief Planner, Jim Mackinnon CBE and broad consultation with a number of stakeholder groups.
Belfast City Council To Reform Planning Services
Belfast City Council has announced it's intention to reform Planning Services, with a renewed focus on how it communicates with various customer groups. The announcement follows recommendations in a report it commissioned by Scotland's former Chief Planner, Jim Mackinnon CBE and broad consultation with a number of stakeholder groups.
23 April 2013
Boost For Solar Energy Welcomed
Alliance South Down spokesperson, Councillor Patrick Clarke, has welcomed the announcement by the Environment Minister that schools, businesses and farm buildings will no longer need planning permission for solar panels. The change relates to micro generation equipment, including solar panels, which generate electricity or heat from sunlight.
Boost For Solar Energy Welcomed
Alliance South Down spokesperson, Councillor Patrick Clarke, has welcomed the announcement by the Environment Minister that schools, businesses and farm buildings will no longer need planning permission for solar panels. The change relates to micro generation equipment, including solar panels, which generate electricity or heat from sunlight.
29 April 2010
Protest Follows Planning Service Cuts
Protest action takes place today as the Royal Town Planning Institute (RTPI) has become the latest body to criticise the NI Planning Service's bid to redeploy as many as one in three of its employees.
Protest Follows Planning Service Cuts
Protest action takes place today as the Royal Town Planning Institute (RTPI) has become the latest body to criticise the NI Planning Service's bid to redeploy as many as one in three of its employees.
-
Northern Ireland WeatherToday:Staying cold. Any freezing fog that has formed overnight will slowly thin and disperse during the morning. Otherwise dry and bright much of the day with perhaps the odd coastal shower in the north and east. Maximum temperature 4 °C.Tonight:Dry at first with cloud thickening from the south through the evening. The odd shower, wintry over high ground, over northern counties, becoming more persistent rain over Down and Antrim. Minimum temperature 0 °C.
