Plans Submitted For New Maternity And Postnatal Support Hub In Coleraine Town Centre

Plans for a new maternity and postnatal support hub in Coleraine town centre have been submitted to Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council.

The planning application, submitted by Karen Stirling, proposes converting a former retail unit at 9 Queen Street, Coleraine, into a specialist maternity and postnatal hub and community space.

The proposed Bloomin’ Mum Hub would provide a dedicated space for mothers, pregnant women, families and maternity-related services, with a strong emphasis on community, education, health and wellbeing.

An accompanying Design and Access Statement submitted as part of the application says the development would complement existing town centre activities and “introduces a community-focused service promoting connection, education, health and wellbeing”.

No extension or additional floorspace is proposed, with the principal community and educational space located at the front of the building and accessed directly from Queen Street.

The statement adds: “The proposal maintains an active frontage onto Queen Street and the architectural character, materials and visual appearance of the building will remain unchanged, ensuring the proposal preserves the character of the area.”

It also highlights the sustainability benefits of bringing an existing vacant or former retail property back into use.

“The proposal represents the reuse of an existing town centre building and therefore promotes sustainable development principles. Its central location encourages walking and use of public transport and reduces reliance on private car journeys.

“The proposal supports economic sustainability through investment and employment, social sustainability through the provision of maternal and postnatal support, and environmental sustainability through the reuse of an existing building stock.”

More than £12,000 raised by supporters

The plans follow a successful Kickstarter campaign for Bloomin’ Mum Hub, which attracted 186 backers and raised more than £12,000 to bring the concept to life.

During the campaign, Karen described her ambition as creating the Causeway Coast’s first independent mum hub, where mothers would be supported and nurtured through community and education.

Bloomin’ Mum Hub is being developed as a registered Community Interest Company.

Karen, a midwife originally from Scotland and now living on the North Coast, said the idea had its roots in her experience of training as a midwife from 2017 and her ambition to see more local, independent and holistic maternity provision.

Her campaign highlighted the impact of the closure of maternity services at Causeway Hospital in 2023, arguing that mothers and pregnant women across the North Coast were increasingly having to travel significant distances to access services.

The proposed hub aims to help address that gap by creating a focal point for independent maternity and postnatal support in the area.

Plans for the space include a relaxed, café-style environment designed particularly with new mothers in mind, alongside a designated contained play area for children aged three and under.

It is also hoped the hub will provide a permanent base where local midwives, birth workers and other businesses providing services for mothers and families can operate, host classes and connect with the community.

Karen previously described the vision as creating “a home for both women and women’s services”, bringing a range of independent maternity and postnatal provisions together under one roof.

The submission represents another potential new use for a Coleraine town centre property, while bringing a specialist community service directly into the heart of the town.

The planning application will now be considered by Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council through the normal planning process.