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Alliance Newtownabbey Councillor Tom Campbell has called on the University of Ulster to rethink proposals for 600 houses in the Jordanstown area.
His comments follow a meeting between local Newtownabbey Councillors and senior planners to discuss controversial plans by the University of Ulster to build these houses in its Jordanstown complex.
The council deputation included Councillors Tom Campbell, Billy Webb and Lynn Fraser (Alliance) and Ken Robinson (UUP). At its monthly meeting, Councillors in Newtownabbey unanimously agreed to support a proposal from local Jordanstown Councillor Campbell to have this planning application declared an Article 31 application. Mr Campbell says he wants a public inquiry given the scale and density of the application and its impact on the local community.
He said: "There are major implications for the immediate area in terms of its impact on the environment and in terms of infrastructure provision. This development would have a negative impact on the local community in Jordanstown. It appears to have been poorly thought through and has the impression of expedition instead of cautious preparation and consideration.
"The University has always said that it was keen to preserve its legacy when it eventually departs from the area. I cannot see how any reasonable observer would consider that this would create a positive legacy for the area, given the huge scale and density of the proposals.
"I would urge the University to preserve its legacy in a favourable way and therefore to withdraw these ill thought out proposals. It appears that little consideration has been given in the proposals to major traffic, infrastructure and other vital issues which must be addressed before the application can be considered seriously.
"The University has failed to consult in a meaningful manner about this application with local residents or with the local Council. I had understood that it was to consult again with Jordanstown residents given the representations made to it about failings in its communication with those immediately affected."
(CD/JP)
