A property developer who has offered to provide a play park adjacent to a new housing site in Newtownabbey is to be asked to improve facilities at Abbey Glen play park instead.
Twenty-three dwellings have been proposed at land adjacent to Glenavna Manor.
The development proposal includes a fully-equipped children’s play park in order to “offset the loss of open space”.
However, the council was advised in a report by its director of operations that there are already three play parks in the area - the closest, at Abbey Glen, Jordanstown Lough Shore Park and Hazelbank.
“In view of the proximity of existing play parks, there is no need for a further play park in the area, however, there is potential for the developer to be asked to make an equivalent contribution to improve the facilities at Abbey Glen play park,” the report said.
The recommendation was supported by Sinn Fein Macedon Councillor Taylor McGrann who said that it was “great to see” the play park at Abbey Glen being highlighted.
He added: “We are in need of community infrastructure. It is great to see during the current financial situation that a developer is going to fund this project. It is a great community asset.”
Cllr McGrann went on to query how much would be spent on the facility.
Deputy Mayor Councillor Anne Marie Logue said that she would ask the officer to contact the developer regarding the budget.
