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14/06/2012
National Trust 'A Disgrace' - Paisley Junior
Ian Paisley Jr has called the National Trust a "disgrace to Northern Ireland".
The DUP MP's outburst on BBC Radio Ulster came after the conservation charity brought a legal challenge against a planned £100m golf resort on the north coast.
A planning application for an 18-hole golf course and five-star hotel at Runkerry, near the Giant's Causeway, was approved three months ago, but the Trust announced yesterday it would push for a judicial review of the decision.
The long-running planning dispute could eventually push developers away, Mr Paisley argued.
He thought the legal battle could take up to two years, and the development has already been 12 years in the pipeline.
And he said: "I think their timing stinks - we're three weeks away (from the Irish Open), one of the biggest golf tourism events here. Thanks National Trust, at a time of economic depression, you put the two fingers up to everyone in Northern Ireland and say you're going to try to hurt rather than help the economy. You are a disgrace to Northern Ireland."
The charity said yesterday that it had "consistently opposed the planning application" for the 365-acre site.
If successful, the resort would be on land designated by UNESCO as a "buffer zone" for the Giant’s Causeway's World Heritage Site.
In a statement, the National Trust said it was "not responsible for the timing" of the legal challenge.
Mr Paisley and senior members of the National Trust are due to meet face-to-face on June 22.
(NE)
The DUP MP's outburst on BBC Radio Ulster came after the conservation charity brought a legal challenge against a planned £100m golf resort on the north coast.
A planning application for an 18-hole golf course and five-star hotel at Runkerry, near the Giant's Causeway, was approved three months ago, but the Trust announced yesterday it would push for a judicial review of the decision.
The long-running planning dispute could eventually push developers away, Mr Paisley argued.
He thought the legal battle could take up to two years, and the development has already been 12 years in the pipeline.
And he said: "I think their timing stinks - we're three weeks away (from the Irish Open), one of the biggest golf tourism events here. Thanks National Trust, at a time of economic depression, you put the two fingers up to everyone in Northern Ireland and say you're going to try to hurt rather than help the economy. You are a disgrace to Northern Ireland."
The charity said yesterday that it had "consistently opposed the planning application" for the 365-acre site.
If successful, the resort would be on land designated by UNESCO as a "buffer zone" for the Giant’s Causeway's World Heritage Site.
In a statement, the National Trust said it was "not responsible for the timing" of the legal challenge.
Mr Paisley and senior members of the National Trust are due to meet face-to-face on June 22.
(NE)
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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.
