Mid and East Antrim Borough Council's Planning Committee approved a planning application for Slemish Market Garden in Ballymena. The decision came at a meeting on February 26.

The approval allows retention of a farm shop, extension of the car park, and change of use for an office and former retail unit to storage. It also permits a shop extension, a replacement polytunnel for one damaged in a storm, and retention of two polytunnels and sheds.

The site sits within Ecos Nature Park at Kernohan's Lane. Council staff own the land. The application covers some existing structures and the car park extension partly in a flood plain.

A planning officer reported that a town centre location lacks space for growing produce and on-site sales. The retail scale poses no major impact on town centres nearby. Access, parking, and servicing meet requirements. Department for Infrastructure Roads raised no issues. Department for Infrastructure Rivers accepted the flood risk for this minor non-residential development.

Larne Lough DUP Alderman Paul Reid expressed worries over flood risk and potential council liability. He requested a strict condition barring further car park extensions without full council review. Department for Infrastructure Rivers deemed the risk level acceptable.

Bannside DUP Alderman Tom Gordon moved to approve the officer's recommendation. Coast Road Sinn Féin Councillor James McKeown seconded it. The committee passed the motion unanimously.