Thumbs up for new housing on former children’s home site

A proposed housing scheme set to provide more than 60 new homes on the land of a former children’s home in Newtonabbey has secured the thumbs up.Mainline Contracts has secured the approval from Antrim and Newtonabbey Borough Council to develop 63 residential units on Knockenagh Avenue, designed to be used by elderly and disabled people.The scheme comprises of two apartment blocks, each containing 21 flats, as well as 19, semi-detached houses and two wheelchair access bungalows. A total of 27 parking spaces have been provided for the apartment’s residents, along with cycle parking and storage. Each house has in curtilage parking.The approximately 2.4-acre application site was formerly home to the two-storey Carnview Children’s Home, which has recently been demolished.A report that was scrutinised by planners on 16 March 2020 recommended the plans be given the thumbs up, subject to conditions.