Councillors disagree over Tesco meeting

The Sinn Fein Chairperson of the local Council, Cllr Cara McShane, said she will be calling a public meeting on the application by Tesco to build a store in Ballycastle.

But Independent councillor Seamus Blaney said the people have already spoken on the issue and he said there is no need for a meeting.

Last week there was a turnout of over 100 people outside Moyle Council’s offices and the demonstrators said they want to see Tesco come to a site at Leyland Road.

The majority of Moyle Council supported sending a letter of support to planners to that effect.

Sinn Fein’s councillors abstained after the earlier rejection of their proposal for a site at Station Road to be examined.

The Tesco issue has caused huge controversy in Ballycastle in recent years with supporters saying they want a substantial supermarket at Leyland Road with a filling station so they can avail of the competitive prices and avoid having to travel out of town to do their main weekly shopping.

But many businesses in Ballycastle town centre fear a Tesco on the edge of the town centre could have a big impact on their trade and they would like to see a smaller town centre location.

Chairperson McShane said: “It is important that the people of Ballycastle have an opportunity to hear all the arguments over the application.

“I will be organising a public meeting before the end of May and inviting Tesco, the Chamber of Commerce and the Planning authorities to come before the people of Ballycastle and state their case.