Hotel expansion approved despite residents’ objections
By Lesley Walsh
CONTROVERSIAL plans to extend a Crawfordsburn hotel have been given the go-ahead despite concerns from residents about traffic congestion and road safety implications.
The plans for new cottages and parking arrangements at the Old Inn were formally approved on Tuesday night by Ards and North Down Council’s planning committee.
Many residents have objected to the proposals and a group attended the meeting in the council offices in Newtownards to observe proceedings.
The plans involve the conversion and extension of two former offices at the hotel at 15-25 Main Street in the village, into two cottages, plus a new build to form a third.
It also involves a reduction in the existing 60 spaces by 15 to accommodate the cottages as well as retention of car parking barriers.
Weddings will no longer be held at the venue, but a representative from owners, Galgorm, said it was considering installing a gym in place of the function room.
Residents fear the reduced number of parking spaces within the new development will leave cars with ‘no where else to go’ but out on to Main Street exacerbating existing traffic congestion in the area.
After a vote in favour of the plans, passed by a majority of three during the council’s Planning Committee on Tuesday night, one of the residents present in the public gallery, told councillors ‘you should hang your heads in shame’.
The rebuke followed a debate in which the council’s planning manager, Chris Blair said permission had hinged upon the condition that the function room, previously used as a popular wedding venue, was no longer used for events involving external customers.
He said assent had been given following assessments centring on issues of parking, the ‘loss of privacy’ for neighbouring village residents due to the installation of dormer windows, and light pollution caused by red lights lining the parking barriers.
He confirmed however that NI Water had objected to the plans over concerns of the impact on the sewerage system but said the developer would be obliged to address those concerns.
Residents’ concerns that the development would have a detrimental impact to the village, in terms that it fell within an ‘Area of Townscape Character’ were ruled out.
Resident Mike Davidson voiced villagers’ objections to the plans, the crux being the loss of parking spaces, stating ‘in-curtilage parking’ at the site was already ‘operating at maximum capacity during peak times’.
Spelling out DfI parking stipulations regarding space required per person, including for manoeuvring, he said that with work to repurpose the function room already underway, the site’s future parking needs rose to well over DfI parking policy.
He said the reality of traffic flow outside the Old Inn has not been considered adequately by the DfI Roads Service, and said discussions on the possibility of double yellow lines being introduced outside the Inn would increase traffic speed and necessitate traffic calming measures and cause a ‘further displacement of parking’.
He also voiced concerns about lorries delivering to the Old Inn creating blind corners for passing motorists.
However, David Monstephen, an agent for Galgorm, said the plans were consistent with planning policy, had been designed to be in keeping with the character of the village and would act as a tourist draw.
The managing director of the Galgorm Collection, Colin Johnston, addressed road safety concerns of road safety, and said the perceived threat of large vehicular deliveries at the Inn had been dealt with.
He outlined the company’s investment at the Inn, explaining the firm’s decision to ‘move away from weddings’ was to ’focus on a low volume product with high spend’.
Mr Johnston added it was aiming to becoming a five star venue and to attract more culinary awards including further AA ‘Rosettes’ for its restaurant.
