Suburbs in revolt
ALMOST 300 residents living in a suburban part of Ballymena are up in arms over proposals to build 24 apartments which they claim will destroy the character of the area.
Householders of Rathlin Drive and other parts of the quiet Ballymoney Road turned out in force at a meeting to voice their opposition to the plans.
The planning application for 289-293 Ballymoney Road has been lodged on behalf of HTB Developments, c/o GM Design Associates of Coleraine.
Just last week the News Letter revealed that over 200 people living in Belfast had come together in a bid to coordinate tactics against wealthy property speculators who they say are destroying the character of long-established neighbourhoods.
Former Ballymena school principal John Stewart, a resident of Rathlin Drive, says that this problem is far from being exclusive to affluent parts of Belfast.
"I came home from holiday to learn that developers were proposing to knock down three tenant-occupied houses at the back of my house and replace them with 24 apartments," he said.
"That is a vast increase to the density of people living here and to impose that kind of situation is changing the whole character of the area."
He said he didn't believe the developers would get the green light from planners but was fearful that they would then submit a new proposal for fewer apartments and townhouses.
Mr Stewart said he had agreed to chair the Ballymena-based group after a number of his neighbours approached him with similar concerns.
"Some of the local residents were very angry about the proposals, many of whom lived in bungalows which apartments would tower over.
"They said they were thinking of holding a meeting in the Adair Arms Hotel and asked me to chair it."
Mr Stewart said he realised that there was a shortage of housing but stressed that he didn't see "perfectly good" houses in London being knocked down to make way for apartments.
He continued: "What they tend to do in places like that is build in gardens."
Mr Stewart said that almost 300 Ballymoney Road area residents went to last month's meeting, which was also attended by DUP North Antrim MLA Ian Paisley Jnr.
He admitted that the general feeling of those present was hostile.
"People are very angry about the fact these proposals will intrude upon their properties and upset and emotional," he said.
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Monday 28 May 2012
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