Mid and East Antrim Borough Council has placed a Ballymena playing fields site on the market with a price tag of around £750,000.
Ballee Playing Fields has been used for a number of local events in recent years, including vintage steam rallies, and car shows, but have not been regularly utilised. Previously the playing fields were used by the former Ballee Community High School, which closed in 2014.
The sale of the site, which extends to around 12.39 Acres (5 Hectares), will bring a much-needed boost to Council coffers which have taken a hit in recent years due to a number of factors along with the ongoing cost-of-living crisis.
The subject lands are currently accessed via the Ballee Road West and adjoin Ballymena Ambulance Station, in addition to an area reserved for a public sector partner, understood to be the site for a new Fire Station in Ballymena.
The local authority agreed in December 2021 to approve the retention of a portion of land for the future development of the new fire station but press ahead with the sale of the remainder of the site in the north end of the town.
Previously, Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service (NIFRS) outlined plans for a new two-storey four appliance facility in the town to include a training tower, yard and car park. Currently, Ballymena Fire Station is located at Waveney Road.
Commenting in 2022, a spokesperson for Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service said:
“A new fire station in the Ballymena area is on our 10-year capital plan. We continue to engage with the council but we are at an early stage in the process.”
According to O'Connor Kennedy Turtle (OKT), sales agent for Mid and East Antrim Borough Council:
"The lands are suitable for a wide variety of uses to include sports and recreation, industrial, distribution, showroom and trade counter use, subject to any necessary planning and statutory consents."