Council gives green light to hundreds of new homes

Planning permission has been granted for hundreds of new homes in County Antrim, following a council meeting on Thursday.

The £70m investment will see 403 homes constructed north of Prince Andrew Way in Carrickfergus.

The project was green-lit at a meeting of Mid and East Antrim Borough council's planning committee in Ballymena.

The new homes will be delivered in phases over a five to six-year period, creating approximately 200 construction jobs.

The proposal, which was approved unanimously, will include 40 social housing units and 41 affordable homes.

A long-awaited road in the area is also to be completed before work begins, along with an upgrade to the North Road and Prince Andrew Way junction.

A play park and other open spaces will also be provided for proposed and existing residents in the area.

Referring to the section of new road which has to be completed, senior planning officer Henry McAlister said there was already "high levels of traffic congestion" in the area.

"There is no doubt 403 new houses will add to traffic in the area but it will disperse more easily than at present," he added.

McAlister claimed there had been a "fairly extensive" consultation over the proposal, with the Department for Infrastructure in agreement and NI Water confirming there is the capacity available to accommodate the proposal.

However 104 objections were reported, including concerns about traffic congestion, road safety, sewerage capacity and noise pollution.

Additional reporting by Local Democracy reporter Michelle Weir.