Councillors in Antrim and Newtownabbey have been slammed for supporting a decision to sell a large part of green space in the area for private houses to be developed.

Alliance Antrim Councillor Neil Kelly said he was disappointed the open land at Steeple Park will be bulldozed as part of a multi-million-pound scheme.

Mr Kelly confirmed he asked the council not to sell the space and to look at other ways of funding the private development.

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He said: "My amendment would not have held up the project but rather given the Council time to look at alternatives. Unfortunately, I did not get enough support within the Council chamber to keep this open space for us to enjoy.

"Alliance is fully supportive of the concept plan and has no issue with the other parts of the site being sold to build social housing in order to create a better Steeple Park. But I worry we as a Council have now set a precedent that leaves all of our green spaces vulnerable to future developments."

(CD)