Although all the Councillors had prior notice that this application was coming up before them on 24th November 2003, as far as we know not one of them alerted any residents of Eagry about this important meeting. There were 31 objections to one of these sites and 28 to the other, yet as far as we can ascertain not one of these objectors (who, one assumes, are represented by our local Councillors) was approached about this important Council decision.

Planning states in their Key Stages of processing an application, that when an application is considered by local Council that “… meeting is usually held within a week of the Council
Schedule being made publicly available” (my emphasis)|

We ask ....When and how does this publicity happen? And if we were not made aware of this meeting then surely any decision by Council was undemocratic? Moyle District Council has an excellent and up-to-date informative web site and one page is labelled "Agenda" but so far I have not been able to see any agendas published, but it's early days and I have not been able to view the site on a regular basis. Perhaps a member of Moyle District Council, or one of the Officers, could enlighten us all about how and where else their agenda is published before a meeting? Even if their web site is published, not all of us have access to the Internet. brian@eagry.com

We also note that one is able to visit the Planning Department in Coleraine a couple of days before Planning Applications are due to come before Council to see what applications are to be discussed. But that means a monthly visit to County Hall to see, on the off chance, if the Application you are interested in might be on that month's agenda. One could be traipsing back and forth for months.

The Planning Service now publishes on the Internet a list of Planning Applications coming up before councils. Hooray. An excellent service. CLICK HERE to access it.

"Nothing is being done about it"? - Yes it is - This is the same Council that unanimously passed the building of this new estate of 66 dwellings in Bushmills, each one of three bedrooms or more and undoubtadly aimed at the Second Home market. That is what Moyle Council has "done about it" Why did the councillors not ask the developer for some "community housing" to be incorporated in his plan? Or even better, - not approve the plan until some affordable, first time buyer housing, is included?

SOME QUESTIONS- How do the Councillors of Moyle District Council view a new estate of 66 houses? - What is their most important criteria when accepting a new development? : -

• The look of the estate in this Area of Natural Beauty?
• As affordable housing for the young members of Bushmills Community?
• As housing to satisfy a social need?
• As more second homes?. We note that in an advert in the December/January 2004 edition of a property magazine, that new terraced houses recently built by the same developer in this "quaint and historic County Antrim village (of Bushmills) .....located in an area of outstanding natural beauty" are selling at £110,000 and would be "....Ideal holiday or investment homes"
• As more dwellings (no matter what standard and no matter for whom they are aimed) as it means more Rates to be paid by the new owners?
• Do they consider a site prone to flooding suitable for housing at all?
• Did any of them ever visit the site?
• Did any of them ever discuss with residents of Eagry Park, their objections to the development?
• Did any of them enquire from Planners, or other departments involved, how, or if, the objections could be overcome?

(June 04). It seems that Moyle Councillors have suddenly woken up enough to this contentious new housing development behind Eagry to give it a name! According to the local press it is to be known as "Eagry Gardens". This decision was made at Moyle District Council's second meeting in May, having been proposed by a long serving Councillor.

At least this name is in keeping with the area and less pretentious and misleading than some recent developments around Bushmills. However "Inundation Valley"; "Greedy Way" or "Wild-death Haven" would have been more accurate.

UPDATE In a February/March 2005 meeting of Moyle Council, one councillor is reported as saying that second home ownes were getting all the houses in the area and "contributing little to the economy and driving young people out"

Whilst another, at the same meeting, referring to the need for social housing, said many unemployed people and single parents were looking for housing and "A lot of people think we [Council] are not carrying out our role properly"

Too right you are councillor. I ask yet again, with 'Second Home owners driving young people out' and your acknowledged need for social housing, why did you unanimously agree to this Bushmills development of 66 new three or four bedrooom houses which are obviously aimed at the Second Homes market (and are already being advertised as such)? There is not one 2-bedroomed dwelling amongst this whole development to help the young unemployed or single parent get a foot on the property ladder. What was that phrase you used?..." people think we are not carrying out our role properly"?