Minister asked to intervene over Rathgael housing plan

THERE are fears that a 700 unit housing scheme for Bangor´s Rathgael Road has been ´rail-roaded´ to the minister´s office for approval.

On Tuesday night, local councillors called for a meeting with Environment Minister Edwin Poots over the controversial plans for one of the borough´s busiest roads.

North Down Borough Council´s Planning Committee heard that despite their major traffic woes, the government is refusing to order a detailed traffic survey.

Updating councillors on the application for the site formerly occupied by the Youth Justice Agency, Town Clerk Trevor Polley said the council´s planning consultants have expressed further concerns about the volume of traffic.

"The consultant is offering a comprehensive review of traffic assessment, something that the Department for Regional Development (DRD) don’t seem to have carried out," Mr Polley told the debating chamber.

"I would take the view that this isn’t free of charge and perhaps depending how council view it, we should indicate that we feel the authorities should carry out traffic assessments at this site."

Councillors agreed to call for a meeting with Mr Poots over the plans.

Ulster Unionist Alderman Leslie Cree asked Mr Polley if he could confirm claims that the minister has already approved the scheme.

Mr Polley responded, "I’m not aware of this. An additional consultation was sent out to council so it shouldn’t have been approved this time."