Call for recanvass of residents after narrowly missing two-thirds threshold for dual language sign rejected

A PROPOSED recanvass of residents over a failed dual language street sign application which gained 65 per cent support, has been rejected at Antrim and Newtownabbey council.

Sinn Féin councillor Taylor McGrann objected to the decision not to approve the erection of a street sign in Irish at Longlands Court at last month’s Policy and Governance Committee which he described as “a little bit harsh”.

He indicated that in a canvass of residents, 32 were in favour, none was against and 17 did not respond and asked that residents of Longlands Court  be re-canvassed after the threshold was missed by 0.7 per cent.

“I think it is a little bit harsh that no-one was against it to just turn it down and not allow residents to re-apply for another three years,” he said.

The committee was told that the applications for Longlands Court and St Joseph’s Court in Crumlin were not approved as the threshold of two-thirds or more in favour was not met as required by council policy.

In neighbouring Belfast City Council the threshold can be met with just 15% support of residents.

An application for Old Mill Drive in Newtownabbey, meanwhile has reached the first stage of the process.

Commenting on social media after the meeting on Monday night Mr McGrann said: “Unfortunately Longlands Court was turned down by council for a dual language street sign last night (Monday), 65.3% of residents where in favour and 34.7% didn’t respond.

“The threshold for a sign to be installed is 66% meaning residents were only 0.7% away from the sign being approved.”

DUP councillor Matthew Brady said that although he appreciated Mr McGrann’s “frustration” over the outcome, he pointed out that the policy states that two-thirds must be in favour in terms of response.

Mr Brady said that further use of council resources would be required for a re-canvass and the result could be “even less”.

The request for a recanvass was seconded by Mr McGann’s party colleague Annemarie Logue who suggested that there is “room for reconsideration” within the policy.

However in a vote to re-canvass residents, nine councillors were in favour with 27 against.

There was approval for dual signs at Bawnmore Drive and the first ever dual language sign in Glengormley at Hollybrook Road.