Environment Minister Alex Attwood has welcomed Ballymena Borough Council’s backing for a new budget hotel and petrol station in Ballymena.

The council ratified the Environment Minister's recommendation for planning approval for the development of a 60-bed quality budget hotel and restaurant, park and share facilities, petrol filling station, shop and car parking including space for Heavy Goods Vehicles.

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The project - estimated to cost in the region of £8m - is to be located on land adjacent to the Larne Road Roundabout at Ballee. Access to the park and share facility will be from the M2 motorway.

Mr Attwood said: "This is good news for Ballymena. This will assist tourism in the area, providing tourist accommodation in an area that is a gateway to Slemish and the Glens of Antrim and for those travelling to the North Coast. It will also provide sustainable and more economical transport options for local people – a plus for the environment.

"This is a significant development scheme which will benefit Ballymena and the surrounding area. It will create jobs during the development and construction phases, with more local jobs in the long term."

(CD/JP)