Residents in the Galgorm area are being urged to have their say on plans by the Irish Football Association (IFA) to develop a National Football Centre in the area before the public consultation period closes on Friday 15 May.
The proposed development, which has been submitted to Mid and East Antrim Borough Council, would see a large-scale National Football Centre constructed on a 50-acre site near Galgorm and Cullybackey. Plans include six pitches, stands, floodlights, changing, administration, catering and other associated football facilities for thousands of people.
Local residents opposed to the plans say the scale of the proposed development could fundamentally alter the character of the rural area and are encouraging people to review the application and submit their views through the Northern Ireland Planning Portal before the deadline expires.
Campaigners say concerns include the potential impact on traffic, noise, lighting, environmental issues and the broader transformation of the local landscape.
A spokesperson for local residents said: “This is one of the most significant planning applications ever proposed for this area and it has the potential to permanently change the character of Galgorm and the surrounding countryside.
“Whatever people’s views on football, residents deserve the opportunity to fully consider what this development could mean for their community in the years ahead.
“There isn’t a lot of time left for people to make their voices heard. We would strongly encourage anyone with concerns about the scale, location or impact of this proposal to review the plans and submit their comments through the planning portal before it is too late.”
Residents wishing to comment on the application can do so via the Northern Ireland Planning Portal at: https://planningregister.planningsystemni.gov.uk/application/709049.
Further information and campaign updates are also available from Right Facility, Wrong Location: https://rightfacility-wronglocation.co.uk/.