Plans Approved For Expansion Of Portrush Holiday Park

Plans for an expansion of a holiday park on the outskirts of Portrush have been approved by councillors.

Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council’s Planning Committee granted planning permission for the extension of Craigahulliar Holiday Park on Ballymacrea Road at its meeting on Wednesday morning.

The major planning application, submitted by Blairs Caravans Limited, will see the existing holiday park extended onto land to the south, creating 35 additional plots for static caravans.

The development will include nine static caravans on the lower part of the site, replacing an existing building, with a further 26 caravans planned for the higher section. Of those, 16 will be single units, and 10 will be twin units.

The scheme also includes demolishing a former production building, new internal roads, landscaping, and a temporary foul cesspool pending connection to the public sewer.

Council planning officers had recommended approval, concluding that the development would not result in an unacceptable visual impact or harm the rural character of the surrounding area. The report also said consultees raised no objections regarding natural heritage, drainage, flood risk, contamination or access.

The site lies in the open countryside and adjoins, and partly falls within, the Craigahulliar Area of Special Scientific Interest (ASSI), which is designated for its geological features.

Natural Environment Division officials said they were content that the development would not have a significant impact on the ASSI provided construction activity, materials and spoil remained outside the designated area.

The application attracted objections, including concerns over consultation, increased traffic, the use of an old quarry access, land stability and the potential impact on neighbouring agricultural land.

However, DfI Roads raised no objection and planning officers concluded that the existing road network could safely accommodate the additional traffic generated by the development.

The application was among those listed for determination at Wednesday morning’s Planning Committee meeting.

Planning permission has now been granted subject to conditions.