Ballycastle could become one of Ireland's premier holiday locations, if a £30 million hotel redevelopment gets the go-ahead, according to investor McAlister Holdings.

The proposals for the five-star facility have been put to local councillors, and will now be subject to planning permission.

However, during the developer’s presentation, held in the current Marine hotel complex, plans were unveiled for 200 high quality rooms, spa and leisure facilities, a restaurant as well as conference facilities.

The firm also wants to make provisions for wedding parties, all of which will create hundreds of new jobs within the construction and hospitality sectors, during the scheme.

McAlister Holdings Managing Director Mervyn McAlister said: "Once complete the new hotel will provide an enhanced facility and will attract and accommodate a high percentage of the yearly 1 million visitors to neighbouring attractions - the Giants Causeway and Carrick-a-Rede Rope Bridge."

Approximately 125 construction jobs will be provided during building, as well as 225 full and part-time hotel jobs when the hotel is fully operational. The existing hotel currently employs 50 staff.

The firm highlighted its strengths: "Being a local developer with roots in the area we're very much aware Ballycastle is a closely knit community."

"We want to firmly place our proposals in the public arena to give local residents and businesses the opportunity to discuss any aspects of the scheme with us and present us with their feedback in bringing forward our proposals for the hotel before we speak with planners and submit a planning application," said Mr McAlister.

"We anticipate investing almost £30 million in this new facility which we expect to deliver over a two year period. So this is a considerable commitment from McAlister Holdings to a scheme that we believe offers an exciting facility for the whole town and the North Antrim Coast," he added.

(PR/JM)