Full Plans Submitted For 45-Unit Eco Holiday Village Near Portrush

A full planning application has been submitted for a proposed eco holiday village on lands off the Ballybogey Road near Portrush.

The development, brought forward by White Rock Eco Parks, would comprise 45 self-contained holiday units along with associated car parking, communal recreation space, a site office, maintenance facilities and landscaped areas.

The site lies to the south and south west of 216 Ballybogey Road and approximately 80 metres south east of 218 Ballybogey Road, on a key route connecting Portrush with Ballymoney and other North Coast destinations.

According to the application, the scheme has been designed to work with the existing topography of the land, which includes a substantial body of water and mature vegetation. The layout aims to minimise visual impact and integrate the units into the surrounding landscape using materials and finishes described as sensitive to the natural environment.

A new site access is proposed from the Ballybogey Road, involving the stopping up of an existing access serving Hampton Conservatories. Developers say this would provide a more appropriate and safer access point onto the protected route.

White Rock Eco Parks, a locally based, family-run business which has operated in the North Coast tourism sector for more than 45 years, said the proposal is intended to provide an alternative accommodation offering for visitors, with on-site amenities and strong connections to nearby settlements and attractions.

Ahead of submitting the planning application, a statutory pre-application community consultation was carried out in line with planning legislation.

An in-person drop-in event was held in February 2025 at premises on Ballybogey Road, attended by members of the project team, including planning and design consultants. Residents and businesses in the immediate vicinity were notified by letter, while public notices were placed in the local newspaper.

A dedicated consultation website was also launched later in 2025, following changes to planning regulations which require major developments to provide online access to proposals and feedback mechanisms for a minimum period of 28 days.

According to the consultation report, a single written response was received during the consultation period, from a neighbouring resident, who expressed strong support for the proposals and described the scheme as a welcome addition to the area.

The application will now be considered by Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council’s planning department.