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22/03/2010
Causeway Gets £9m NITB Grant
The proposed new visitors' centre at the Giants Causeway is to receive a £9.25m grant from the Northern Ireland Tourist Board (NITB).
The funding represents half the cost of the project, the BBC reports.
The Heritage Lottery Fund had already pledged £3m, while the National Trust is to invest £4m.
The Trust is also seeking to raise the remaining £2m from public donations.
The centre, which is scheduled for completion in 2012, was designed by Dublin architects Heneghan Peng, and will be hidden from the coastal landscape by a grass roof.
The facility will have environmental features such as water-permeable paving, natural lighting and rainwater harvesting.
SDLP Enterprise and Tourism spokesperson Alasdair McDonnell has welcomed the start of work on the new £18.5 million visitor centre and facilities.
"It is frankly embarrassing that our primary tourist attraction has languished for ten years since the previous centre burned down.
"The embarrassment got a lot worse when it looked as if effective control of our only World Heritage Site might be privatised.
"It sent out a very poor signal that the then Environment Minister Arlene Foster said she was 'minded' to approve a for-profit approach to this great public asset," he said.
"The current partnership approach between the National Trust and public authorities is the only way to do justice to the Giant's Causeway and ensure maximum public benefit combined with maximum environmental protection."
(NS/BMcC)
The funding represents half the cost of the project, the BBC reports.
The Heritage Lottery Fund had already pledged £3m, while the National Trust is to invest £4m.
The Trust is also seeking to raise the remaining £2m from public donations.
The centre, which is scheduled for completion in 2012, was designed by Dublin architects Heneghan Peng, and will be hidden from the coastal landscape by a grass roof.
The facility will have environmental features such as water-permeable paving, natural lighting and rainwater harvesting.
SDLP Enterprise and Tourism spokesperson Alasdair McDonnell has welcomed the start of work on the new £18.5 million visitor centre and facilities.
"It is frankly embarrassing that our primary tourist attraction has languished for ten years since the previous centre burned down.
"The embarrassment got a lot worse when it looked as if effective control of our only World Heritage Site might be privatised.
"It sent out a very poor signal that the then Environment Minister Arlene Foster said she was 'minded' to approve a for-profit approach to this great public asset," he said.
"The current partnership approach between the National Trust and public authorities is the only way to do justice to the Giant's Causeway and ensure maximum public benefit combined with maximum environmental protection."
(NS/BMcC)
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27 January 2009
Trust's £18m Causeway Centre Approved
Environment Minister Sammy Wilson has gave his backing to the National Trust's proposals for a new £18m Giant's Causeway visitor centre. Plans for the new tourist facility were submitted by the Trust last summer, following years of wrangling over the future of the development. The original centre burned down during a fire in 2000.
Trust's £18m Causeway Centre Approved
Environment Minister Sammy Wilson has gave his backing to the National Trust's proposals for a new £18m Giant's Causeway visitor centre. Plans for the new tourist facility were submitted by the Trust last summer, following years of wrangling over the future of the development. The original centre burned down during a fire in 2000.
18 September 2007
National Trust Intervenes In Causeway Row
The National Trust is set to intervene in the ongoing row over the Giant's Causeway visitors’ centre when it is discussed by a committee in Stormont today.
National Trust Intervenes In Causeway Row
The National Trust is set to intervene in the ongoing row over the Giant's Causeway visitors’ centre when it is discussed by a committee in Stormont today.
09 September 2004
Draft plan for 'world-class' Giant's Causeway site published
The draft management plan for the Giant’s Causeway and Causeway Coast World Heritage Site has been published for public consultation today. Environment Minister Angela Smith said that the plan was designed to ensure that the site remained a "world-class visitor attraction", managed to sustain the natural environment and the local economy.
Draft plan for 'world-class' Giant's Causeway site published
The draft management plan for the Giant’s Causeway and Causeway Coast World Heritage Site has been published for public consultation today. Environment Minister Angela Smith said that the plan was designed to ensure that the site remained a "world-class visitor attraction", managed to sustain the natural environment and the local economy.
27 February 2002
Seaport Investments submit plan for Causeway Centre
Seaport Investments is to push ahead with its plans to build a tourist centre near the Giant's Causeway in spite of a Moyle Council vote to turn down its bid to do so earlier this month.
Seaport Investments submit plan for Causeway Centre
Seaport Investments is to push ahead with its plans to build a tourist centre near the Giant's Causeway in spite of a Moyle Council vote to turn down its bid to do so earlier this month.
03 October 2012
Giant's Causeway Exhibit Amended
A controversial exhibit at the Giant’s Causeway has been amended by the National Trust. The controversy began early on in the summer, when an exhibition at the Causeway’s new visitors centre offered the creationist view regarding the formation of the famous geological structure.
Giant's Causeway Exhibit Amended
A controversial exhibit at the Giant’s Causeway has been amended by the National Trust. The controversy began early on in the summer, when an exhibition at the Causeway’s new visitors centre offered the creationist view regarding the formation of the famous geological structure.
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Northern Ireland WeatherThis Evening and Tonight:A dry night, save for a few light showers around the coasts, with prolonged clear spells and light winds bringing a frosty dawn for many in central and southern parts. Minimum temperature -3 °C.
