'Quite a discussable matter' - McDonnell

The applicant is Mr J. McAllister and Sinn Fein councillor Oliver McMullan, backed up by Independent councillor Randal McDonnell, asked for an office meeting with planners.

Cllr McDonnell said he walked up the lane to the property earlier on the day of the Moyle Council meeting and he said he could not imagine a building that was not more appropriate for what is intended.

“It looks like quite a discussable matter,” he said.

Planners say the existing agricultural holding is not currently active and established and say the proposed building is not necessary for the efficient use of the active and established agricultural holding.

Planners also stated the proposed building is inappropriate for the location due to unacceptable character and scale and said it would not integrate into the landscape.

Planners further said the applicant has not provided sufficient information to confirm that there are no suitable existing buildings on the holding that can be used and that there are not alternative sites which would group with buildings on the holding.

Planners also said the site lies within a designated Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and if permitted would be detrimental to the environmental quality of the area by reason of unacceptable design and excessive earthworks.