Station Square EI scheme Response to: Request de

Key Points This matter of the ’point’ has been given earnest consideration by Council officers and Members. The Station Square EI scheme received a Certificate of Lawfulness from Planning Service on 20th June The ‘point’ is approximately the same height as previously. This has been verified by The Paul Hogarth Company and Council’s Environmental Services. The ‘point’ is approximately 1.4 metres further south than previous offering a slightly better view of the West Bay. The ‘point’ construction is compliant with the design. The design was widely presented, understood and agreed. The ‘point’ did not raise any concerns once agreed through the consultation stages.

Timeline Council agreed the high level concept proposed for Station Square in April 2010 following consultation. 26 th July 2010 Senior Management Team were dissatisfied with the detailed design proposed by The Paul Hogarth Company and requested a full review. Several design options were generated by the designers and considered by CBC officers before a final design proposal was considered appropriate. The Skerries Councillors were kept informed of progress at meetings on: A Presentation of the revised scheme detailed design proposals was provided by The Paul Hogarth Company to the Skerries Councillors and the Senior Management Team. The meeting requested the height of the ‘point’ should be reduced to that previously.

Meeting Note Section of the Notes from the Skerries Councillors & Senior Management Team meeting on 16th December 2010: 3. The Point Concern was raised by CBC about the visual disruption of a high level viewing platform may have for the residents of Kerr Street. As a result CBC requested further options to show; a) a lower viewing platform which does not extrude any higher that the existing hedge line and b) a design which lowers the levels and creates a more 'level' appearance to the point. Sketches of both of these options are included in the revised presentation

Timeline Revised drawings were received from the designers with the ‘point’ reduced and levelled as requested. There have been no further significant design developments with the ‘point’ following the amendments requested at the December 2010 meeting Councillors Workshop. Presentation of the final draft proposals by Mr Andrew Haley. The ‘point’ was not raised as an issue Public Consultations. Presentation of the final draft proposals by Mr Andrew Haley. The consultations were promoted through press advertisements, posters around Portrush and on the website. The ‘point’ was not raised as an issue Key commercial stakeholders and statutory bodies consultations. Presentation of the final draft proposals by Mr Andrew Haley. The ‘point’ was not raised as an issue. March 2012 Policy & Development Committee and ratification by Council. The revised final draft scheme design proposals were recommended for approval by Committee and ratified by Council. The ‘point’ was not raised as a specific issue.

Further Information Requested Further information/responses requested: Any significant change to the current scheme currently under construction would require approval from Coleraine Borough Council. The Station Square EI scheme has a Council budget of £2,000,000 offset partly with grant funding from central government. The scheme designers, The Paul Hogarth Company, recommended the palette of materials which were subsequently approved by Council.

Annotation The annotation to The Point on the previous drawing reads: “Viewing Platform offering panoramic views across West Bay. Height of platform corresponds with the height of the existing hedge.”