The construction of a major by-pass road around the Co Antrim market town of Ballyclare could be put on hold until next year, it has been revealed.

The proposed relief road, linking the Templepatrick Road and Rashee Road, is a major part of the £400 million Ballyclare West housing project which recently got under way in the town.

According to the local weekly newspaper, the Newtownabbey Times, the developer hoped to begin work on the new road earlier this year, but it now seems that it could be 2011 before planners give the scheme the green light.

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Planning Service recently revealed "the Planning Appeals Commission (PAC) has revised the timescale for delivery of their report relating to the Belfast Metropolitan Area Plan (BMAP) public inquiry. The PAC now aims to present its report to the Department by the end of March 2011".

However, despite the latest postponement, it isn't yet known if all major developments in the BMAP area will be affected by the delayed report.

The Department of the Environment commented: "Planning Service will continue to process planning applications taking into account the proposals contained within draft BMAP, and this will include the applications that relate to the provision of the Ballyclare relief road.

"However, the impact that the delay in the receipt of the PAC report will have on the processing of these applications is a matter that is still under consideration by Planning Service."

(BMcC/GK)