"General property prices in the area plus our high and rapidly rising Rates will ensure that local young folk will find them unaffordable. In the past decade or so, the lush green countryside at this end of Bushmills has been urbanised with the building of Eagry Park, (46 dwellings), Bush Gardens and its extension (up to 125) with Haughey's Row (11 more) under construction nearby; plus a new Caravan Site. This latter was hailed as an environmental masterpiece endorsed by no less than David Bellamy, with its three newly created ponds/lakes expected to encourage even more flora and fauna into this already rich and diverse landscape. How does this square with the proposal to erect an estate of seventy homes (The approved plan has reduced this to 66) Now at its lower boundary, very visible from the Straid and Haw Roads, and of course the Caravan Site itself, and obstructing the valley which is an important and heavily used bird and wild life corridor? Further additional development of this sort will irreparably damage the “village character” of Bushmills. If tourism is as commercially important to this area as we are constantly told then it would be inexcusable to kill the goose that lays the golden eggs. The beauty of the North Antrim Coastal countryside as well as the “visitor attractions” is what brings the tourists here from all parts of the globe. Cover it with a concrete jungle and watch the numbers decline" . |
Writing about the original plan in August 2001 a member of the Development Plan Team wrote "I would not consider the present proposal appropriate - view right across the rear gardens from the Straid Road" There were 12 rear gardens facing the Straid Rd on that original plan.
Three amendments later and the "approved" plan now has 15 rear gardens- i.e. even more!- facing the Straid Rd.
With construction underway, here's a photo taken from the Straid Rd on 30 Oct 04 showing 11 of those rear gardens.
"We are writing to express
our concerns about the proposed development at Eagry Park, Bushmills.
Portballintrae been destroyed by over development and it would
appear that house prices in Portballintrae are so high that local
people cannot afford to buy them. Many of the houses are second
homes. It would appear that this problem is now spreading to Bushmills
and our impression is that a substantial number of homes in the
newer developments in Bushmills are now second homes. The intensity
of the proposed development is excessive, though it is difficult
to gauge accurately as the plans which are available are sketchy
and do not show the relationships with existing properties in Eagry
Park.
It is important that Bushmills preserves its character and does not become an over developed urban sprawl like Portballintrae. The proposed development has packed as many houses into a small area as possible. This development should be resisted by the planning authorities." |
There is currently a considerable amount of development in the Bushmills/Portballintrae area. This, in my opinion, is damaging the character of Bushmills as a village within an area of outstanding natural beauty. To continue to develop would erode this village atmosphere further and not do anything to encourage tourism. The Distillery at Bushmills is a significant
visitor attraction and should be maintained in its present semi-rural
setting. The currently proposed developments would detract from
the surrounding environment and place the Distillery at the centre
of a growing housing estate. |
| "........Finally a total disregard for the residents of Eagry Park, many of whom occupy their homes all day every day because they are either retired or work from home. During construction and after completion our privacy will be lost as these buildings will tower over our bungalows and there will be noise disruption" |