‘Spice Girls’ themed double-decker bus among plans submitted for new north coast tourist attraction
Plans have been submitted for a themed double-decker offering short-term visitor accommodation in Portrush, subject to planning approval
Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council has received plans for a themed tourist accommodation bus in Portrush.
The council’s planning department recently received the planning application, which is seeking temporary permission to station a double-decker bus, for short-term visitor accommodation, at 10 Castle Erin Road.
Permission is also being sought for a new access point and two parking spaces.
In an accompanying cover letter, agents MKA Planning said the application is temporary for two years to “assess the viability of the proposal”, and as the bus is not designed for permanent siting and is to be located within a coastal location within Portrush, any visual impacts will be temporary and positive, “creating visual interest”.
“The applicant is considering seasonally decorating and tailoring the bus to reflect various themes such as the Spice Girls and Summer Holiday etc,” the letter added.
“The applicant has been able to park a similar bus on the application site to assess the potential visual impact, [and] the bus is partially or entirely screened by existing buildings from some viewpoints and is seen from the beach against the rear of the Barry’s Complex and the urban context.
“Council has previously temporarily approved a big wheel on the adjoining open space area opposite Kerr Street, and this indicates [their] willingness to embrace temporary proposals which encourage tourism and visitors.
“Considering the location and siting of the proposed double-decker bus, there will be little loss of the outstanding vista of the peninsula, across West Bay from the western approaches to Portrush.”