Cllr Cadogan Enright has expressed his grave concern that a development in an area that has five degrees of environmental protection designations has been given approval by the Planning Service. He pointed out that a perfectly acceptable site existed in the Delamont farm complex only a few hundred meters away from the Wildlife reserve being sought by the Developers. He questioned the motives of the developers in rejecting a site where good services already exit..
Cadogan Enright said “The proposed Viking Village Development at Delamont would be built on an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB), a Ramsar Site listed under the RAMSAR Convention for the Protection of Wetlands, a Special Area of Conservation (SAC), a Special Protection Area (SPA) and an Area of Special Scientific Interest (ASSI).”
Cllr Enright said, “I cannot understand how an area that is seemingly untouchable according to environmental protection and wildlife designations can be built on according to the Planning Service. The decision to approve this development completely disregards all the hard work that went into getting this beautiful landscape the legal protection needed in order to maintain this area for future generations.”
Cllr Enright continued, “This development also fails the key elements of the Planning Strategy for Rural Northern Ireland (PSRNI) which states that in all situations its policy will be to protect important assets for the tourist industry, including scenic routes, and to prevent their damage or destruction for short term gain or exploitation. The visual impact of the Viking Village and its compound would be highly intrusive to the landscape viewed from the sea, and from the very popular public walk around Gibbs Island.”
“Most startling of all is that Councillors in Down District Council would ever consider handing over such a precious piece of local government property. Given the fiduciary responsibilities encumbant on local councillors for the proper use of public property I cannot see how councillors could vote in favour of such an application. The general public using Delamont park would never understand why an additional car park, sewerage system and entrance gate is necessary, why existing facilities cannot be shared and why we have to build on the Wildlife reserve that so many people come to Delamont to visit,” concluded Cllr Enright.
Press Cuttings: Viking Village is given go-ahead, Viking proposal is not ready for view
