TUV leader’s court bid to block plan for £20m hotel in Portstewart

Legal challenge: Jim Allister A COUNCIL unlawfully “took their eyes off the rules” in approving a new £20m hotel and leisure complex at the heart of the North West 200 race route, the High Court heard yesterday.

Lawyers for North Antrim MLA Jim Allister claimed flaws and inconsistencies surrounded the granting of planning permission for the luxury accommodation facilities in Portstewart.

Alan Kane QC argued: “The decision-making process is deficient and has been contaminated to such an extent that there should be quashing orders.”

Earlier this year Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council gave the green light to the proposed resort. Plans include a 120-bedroom hotel, spa, holiday cottages, conference facilities and restaurant being built on the Ballyreagh Road, beside the North West 200 paddock.

Permission was first given in June 2017, but withdrawn after Mr Allister initially threatened legal action.

The TUV leader, who has a home overlooking the site, recommenced judicial review proceedings when council representatives passed the planning application for a second time.

Another resident in the surrounding area has joined him in taking the case.

Their lawyers have mounted a number of grounds for challenge, including claims that the environmental screening process for the proposed coastal location was flawed. They also contend that the council used the wrong criteria, and should have considered the application under a policy for a larger-scale tourism attraction.

Mr Kane stressed: “We are not alleging the council behaved in a corrupt fashion.

“We are saying there was a loss of objectivity in dealing with this matter because of, perhaps, an understandable desire for these particular facilities. But in doing so they took their eyes off the rules, and as a result didn’t, in our view, behave in a lawful fashion.”

The case, being heard by Mr Justice McCloskey, continues.