Rathfern community ‘extremely disappointed’ after £0.7m centre upgrade postponed

A £0.7m extension to include a sensory garden, cycle parking and benches planned for the council-owned Rathfern Social Activity Centre at Knockenagh Avenue is now in jeopardy.

The development proposal is being brought forward by Antrim and Newtownabbey Council and has been recommended for approval after it was said to provide a “positive impact” within the wider community.

However, Antrim and Newtownabbey Council has stated the closure of its facilities on March 18, combined with reductions in planning and building control activity, has resulted in an immediate estimated loss of £750k income monthly.

It does not “foresee any recovery to meaningful income levels in leisure, arts and culture in this financial year” and as a result, the development has been postponed.

A spokesperson for Council said: “The council recognises the value of the community centre and the work of the Rathfern Regeneration Group in the local community.

“However, given the extraordinary circumstances of the Covid-19 pandemic and the anticipated impact on the council’s financial position, all capital projects have been deferred with the exception of the crematorium.The position will be kept under review.”

The local government authority currently provides an annual grant of £5,000 to Rathfern Regeneration Group to help run the centre.

Project co-ordinator Tommy Kirkham said: “Right to the last person in Rathfern, we are extremely disappointed. At the end of the day, the council is a bigger organisation than we are.”

Meanwhile, the planning application is still listed for consideration by Antrim and Newtownabbey Council’s chief executive Jacqui Dixon next Monday while the council’s Planning Committee is suspended during the Covid-19 pandemic. No planning refusals will be issued until further notice.

On Tuesday, the Stormont Executive announced a five-stage plan for moving out of lockdown.