Glamping park that lights up like landing strip is ‘field of nightmares', neighbours claim
A glamping park that has been branded a 'field of nightmares' and the local 'landing strip' by neighbours is being investigated by the council.
Cotters Park, in Randalstown, Northern Ireland, was originally pitched to officials as an eco-friendly food-tourism venue, The Telegraph was told.
However, neighbours have decried the destination as a 'noisy party venue' and 'field of nightmares', with locals claiming they are 'regularly subject to noise nuisance and light pollution incidents from the site, including from hen parties'.
The self-styled Residents Opposed to Cotters Park are now fighting to close the site, with neighbours telling The Telegraph that 'nothing has been done to rein this in'.
Antrim and Newtownabbey borough council is now investigating, with a spokesman confirming the site 'remains under enforcement investigation'.
'The council does not provide specific details of the investigation or information on any course of action as it may have an adverse impact upon any legal proceedings. A planning application is currently under consideration,' the spokesman added.
Speaking to The Telegraph, the Alliance Party MLA John Blair said: 'I originally supported this application when the developer sold it as an eco-theme.
'Some people who live in the area have compared this to having Love Island in the countryside, which I as a local representative had never expected to see in the areas around Randalstown and Toome.'
He added that his message to the owners of Cotters Park was to 'rethink everything that has been done there, to immediately take on board all of the concerns raised by a large proportion of local residents'.
In a press release seen by The Telegraph, the opposition group member Bernie Crossan said: 'We now need the local council to intervene as soon as possible to end this nightmare.'
A Cotters Park spokesman said that the site was located on 'family farmland' and added: 'Cotters Park's ethos is of environmental stewardship and in response to ecology report recommendations has made significant investment in red-bulbed, low-wattage, hooded lighting and in the installation of owl, bird and bat nesting vegetation that has enhanced the biodiversity value of the site to local habitat and wildlife.
'Cotters Park is committed to operating responsibly, complying with all statutory processes and engaging with the council and community to ensure the sustainability of this rural business in the area.'
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