Mid and East Antrim Borough Council has submitted plans which will see the former Wellington Court toilets repurposed into space for council use.
The controversial decision was made in 2023 to close Ballymena town centre’s only public convenience operated by the local authority, located on a pedestrian thoroughfare between Church Street and Wellington Street.
The move, unpopular with many residents and visitors to the town, as well as some local businesses, was part of what council said were “cost-saving measures in line with rates discussions, resulting in annual savings of £50,000”.
Now proposals recently submitted for planning approval reveals Council will spend thousands of pounds to refurbish the former facility inside and out, and make alterations to provide new office space.
It will come as relief to some that there will also be two new disabled toilets for public use. Previously the facility provided 11 general use toilets, two disabled toilets, four shower rooms and two mother and baby rooms.
Design drawings show the new office suite will accommodate 17 desks and a meeting room as well as staff facilities.
Elsewhere, council has also submitted an application for additional office facilities at The Braid on Bridge Street, Ballymena. These include a newly developed office on the upper ground floor, and a single glazed office pod on the walkway of Level 3, both for one desk.
Proposed office space on (left) Upper Ground Floor, and (right) Level 3 - both shaded in yellow.
New offices space proposed for Level 2 in The Braid
Overall the proposed changes at The Braid will see a further 70 desks transforming the facility into one of the Council’s main administration hubs.
Mid and East Antrim Borough Council has been making a number of decisions in recent times to help improve its fiscal stability after it a £7.2M financial deficit was revealed earlier this year. Subsequently the authority has brought a number of publicly owned sites to market.
Discussions at the time considered selling Ardeevin in Ballymena, however Council has confirmed that this is no longer being considered.
A spokesperson for Mid and East Antrim Borough Council told Love Ballymena:
“We have been reviewing our office accommodation needs to ensure they are fit for the future and managed efficiently and effectively.
“Following detailed planning, a requirement for increased office space at both The Braid and Wellington Court has been identified.
“There are no plans to sell Ardeevin at this point in time.”