Environment Minister Alex Attwood has granted planning permission for the extension of Ballygally Castle Hotel.

This approval will see an expansion of the lobby area and an additional six bedrooms added to the front of the hotel which is located on a key tourist route on the Antrim Coast road. This will result in a 72 bedroom hotel and will allow the bedrooms to be remodelled to current standards.

Mr Attwood said: "This extension is good news for boosting tourism in the Antrim Coast area. It also demonstrates my Department’s commitment to responding positively to tourist related proposals but only when they balance the enhancement and development of key tourist assets with the protection of our built heritage.

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"This extension was initially set for refusal due to concerns over the “Grade A” listed 17th century tower house which is the only surviving structure of its type in Northern Ireland. However after discussions and amendments to the proposal this can now proceed in a way that preserves the integrity of the tower house. This means the hotel can develop in a way that protects jobs and boosts tourism but that will secure the upkeep of this tower house, which is so integral to the character and history of this building."

(CD/GK)