MLA Jim Allister is to pursue legal action over Causeway Coast & Glen’s decision to approve plans for the hotel beside the NW200 paddock. Causeway Coast Community understands that MLA Jim Allister will challenge the decision at a High Court in the coming months.
Council has received official notification of his intention to seek a judicial review.
A spokesperson for Merrow Hotel and Spa said :
“To all our supporters we want to say thank you! Your encouragement, kind words and practical assistance have been invaluable as we have moved through the development stages. The proposed £20 million Merrow Hotel and Spa complex has officially been granted planning approval and this represents a significant milestone on our journey.
This week, details emerged that MLA Jim Allister is threatening further legal action over the council’s decision to approve the plans. A previous threat of judicial review led to withdrawal of planning permission granted in June 2017. These delays have had a knock-on effect on local businesses, delaying millions of pounds worth of revenue for the local economy.
Despite the delays, the project team has been working hard to make progress and build relationships with local suppliers and will continue to do so. It is imperative that local suppliers form the core of Merrow Hotel and Spa’s supply chain. The recruitment of 100 hotel jobs will be focused on local people. Ground works are scheduled to commence over the coming months and the vision to create a new world of luxury on the North Coast can be transformed into a reality.
We would like to reassure everyone that our team is committed to progressing this project as planned, regardless of any potential legal action threatened. We thank you for your ongoing support”.
Just what IS Allister’s problem with this project ? Had the site of this hotel been in another location would he have been involved ? Doubt it !!! He isn’t fooling anybody with his smarmy, forked-tongue legalese. It is beyond belief that a holiday home – owning “runner” to the area is pursuing this action for purely selfish reasons, instead of suppprting it….But then he is a N.I. politician, – worthless crew that they are !! To all the people behind this venture I say : STAY STRONG… DO NOT BE DISCOURAGED… DO NOT LET HIM WIN…WE NEED THIS!!
To the MERROW HOTEL & SPA Portstewart developers ” C & V” , I say this…Keep believing in this great project ! I have a taxi business in the area & I have never heard anything but support from my customers for the building of this hotel , and nothing but disbelief at the selfish action by Jim Allister & his lackies. Local people ( which he is not) , really want to see this project succeed so please…SEE IT THROUGH !!!!