Bay View...not for long ?

In the second programme of Room With a View we start with a patch of land in Portrush on the North Coast.
The area known as West Bay, along the coast from Barry`s Amusements, has a spectacular view of the beach and beyond out to sea.

A local developer wants to build on a barren piece of land in front of a row of terraced houses in West Bay which overlook the coastline. His view is that the land at present is a waste of space with illegal dumping and is unsightly.

empty ground

the proposed dwellings

The residents of the houses behind the proposed development say that their view will be severely reduced. They also ask the question -why use the land for housing? Why not some public amenities or better maintain the area for recreation?

A first phase of houses has been erected near to the proposed site. In this case the developer did work with the residents to compromise on ridge height and elevation of the new homes. However there is some debate about galvanised steel being used instead of what was presented at the planning stage - timber or stone -on the rear staircases.
Also one of the houses was built further forward by 7 metres. The developer maintains that this was to facilitate better road access and landscaping. So are these just silly details or lack of care? Should the planning office clamp down on these minor discrepancies?

Who is right?

Surely if the new apartments are in keeping with the surrounding area and make better use of the existing ugly site then thats a positive step?

Or do the residents have the right attitude - the new homes will be the start of over development and the land should be used for the community already in place. And do they have a right to that superb view out to sea?

No-GOCEAN ?

A new Marina and large housing development in Killyleagh are at the heart of the next issue for Room With a View.

A Belfast developer wants to carve a Marina into the inland site on the shoreline at Gocean Lodge.Up to 350 houses are also planned.
Apparently the lough covered the poperty back in 17 century - the coast road now breaching the water. So the area is actually being restored to its original condition!

untouched coastline

how the new marina may look

Local opinion is split - some welcome the idea, wanting to move with the times and hope the area will benefit financially. Others feel it will ruin the beauty of the area and that the "new blood" won`t necessarily treat Killyleagh as their new town, but rather build their own community away from the town centre.

The objectors` scepticism may have been fuelled by the failure of the developers to involve the locals in the decision to bulldoze more than 200 mature trees on the estate, even though final planning permission had not been passed for the Marina. A point the developers are happy to admit was a mistake.

The Natinal Trust have also added their weight to the argument, careful to maintain the natural beauty of the area. With this extra leverage, planners have asked the developers to submit detailed reports on how the Marina and housing will impact on the local environment.

At least from a relatively early stage the Belfast company and a local development association have been in communication to minimise any major stumbling blocks

So have you any knowledge of these plans? Perhaps you feel strongly about another coastal issue?

Please tell us , you`ll find details on how to contact us on the main Room With a View page.