New housing proposed for site of former Newtownabbey school

The project includes residential development, public open space, children’s play park, landscaping and car parking with access from Rathcoole Drive.

A spokesperson for Apex Housing Association said: “Subject to planning approval, our proposals seek to construct more than 100 new homes in a mix of houses and apartments. These will include both social and affordable family homes, wheelchair accessible houses and apartments, alongside new housing for older people.

“The scheme is being designed by RPP Architects, providing contemporary house types and apartments with high quality open space for the local community.

“However, the final mix of tenure is still to be confirmed following pre-application community consultation. The current housing mix is 80 per cent new social homes, with a further 20 per cent proposed as affordable homes for sale.”

A PAN is required for a major or regionally significant development and is submitted prior to planning permission being sought. It sets out how the applicant will seek the views of the community on the proposed development.

Addressing concerns about accessibility to the public consultation, the Apex spokesperson added: “In addition to two online events, a project website (www.rathcooledevelopment.co.uk) and live chat, we will place an unmanned exhibition within a local community centre, and will continue to provide free post return forms, a free consultation telephone number to speak with the project team, and can post out information to any member of the community that requests it.

“A new proposal of application notice reflecting these measures will be circulated to all elected representatives for the area in the coming days.”

Responding to the proposals, Macedon Ulster Unionist Councillor Robert Foster called for the development to be all social housing.

Cllr Foster said: “The application consists of a mix of social housing and affordable housing. I will be opposing any application for this site which is not 100 per cent social housing as Rathcoole is in dire need of good quality social housing.

“Putting private affordable housing on this site is taking up valuable space which is needed for social housing. This cannot be allowed to happen and I will fight tooth and nail to ensure it doesn’t.

“A number of residents have contacted me with concerns about the proposals and access to the consultation process. This is a once in a generation opportunity for this site and it must be shaped by the community.”

The consultation website is scheduled to go live on September 3 to allow the public to find out further information and provide feedback online.

The closing date for responses will be Friday, September 25.

Earlier this year, elected members on Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough Council called for “sufficient finance to be made available to the Northern Ireland Housing Executive for refurbishment of Rathcoole’s Abbotscoole House, Carncoole House, Monkscoole House and Glencoole House. in recognition of the “housing need in north Belfast”.

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