Menu
03/07/2002
DOE 'disappointed' by lack of Causeway progress
Northern Ireland Environment Minister Dermot Nesbitt has said the inability of groups interested in developing the Giant’s Causeway as a world-class heritage site is a source of frustration and disappointment to him.
Speaking today at the draft Management Plan for the future of the Giant’s Causeway Mr Nesbitt said he wanted to see a 21st century visitor’s centre established but that continued fraught relationships among the key people seeking to deliver it, represented an “obstacle to progress”.
To date the Moyle District Council, the National Trust and several private developers have been caught in a wrangle over who should fund and oversee development of the site.
Mr Nesbitt said: “I am greatly disappointed that our only World Heritage Site does not yet have a world-class 21st Century Visitor Centre. DOE is currently considering a planning application from a private sector developer for a Visitor Centre. For some time now, Moyle District Council has also been exploring the possibility of bringing forward a proposal of its own. For my part, I pledge myself to give all applications that are brought to me the most particular and sensitive consideration.
“In parallel, Moyle Council has very recently proposed that DOE should acquire the Council’s landholding. As the Council recognises, this proposition raises many complex legal, policy and financial issues. While I will examine the proposal carefully, I would not be happy for instance, for taxpayers to foot the bill for a Visitor’s Centre that others have said they would pay for.”
Mr Nesbitt also said he would not be in favour of drawing a 4km exclusion zone around the Causeway site, as advocated by UNESCO, United Nations cultural preservation group.
Mr Nesbitt said: “I think a moratorium of this kind would have very real adverse impacts on Bushmills and Portballintrae, both of which fall within the 4 km radius of the World Heritage Site. Paradoxically, it might also delay the early development of a world-class 21st Century Visitor Centre that we all want to see.
“There is also a real risk that it would be successfully challenged in the Courts. These factors led me to the conclusion that such a moratorium would be counterproductive and would not add materially to the protections already in place.
“However, in view of the concern expressed by UNESCO, I have invited representatives of the World Heritage Centre to visit the site and to meet all the interested parties. My Department will co-ordinate and host that visit, and I hope that it can take place soon.”
(AMcE)
Speaking today at the draft Management Plan for the future of the Giant’s Causeway Mr Nesbitt said he wanted to see a 21st century visitor’s centre established but that continued fraught relationships among the key people seeking to deliver it, represented an “obstacle to progress”.
To date the Moyle District Council, the National Trust and several private developers have been caught in a wrangle over who should fund and oversee development of the site.
Mr Nesbitt said: “I am greatly disappointed that our only World Heritage Site does not yet have a world-class 21st Century Visitor Centre. DOE is currently considering a planning application from a private sector developer for a Visitor Centre. For some time now, Moyle District Council has also been exploring the possibility of bringing forward a proposal of its own. For my part, I pledge myself to give all applications that are brought to me the most particular and sensitive consideration.
“In parallel, Moyle Council has very recently proposed that DOE should acquire the Council’s landholding. As the Council recognises, this proposition raises many complex legal, policy and financial issues. While I will examine the proposal carefully, I would not be happy for instance, for taxpayers to foot the bill for a Visitor’s Centre that others have said they would pay for.”
Mr Nesbitt also said he would not be in favour of drawing a 4km exclusion zone around the Causeway site, as advocated by UNESCO, United Nations cultural preservation group.
Mr Nesbitt said: “I think a moratorium of this kind would have very real adverse impacts on Bushmills and Portballintrae, both of which fall within the 4 km radius of the World Heritage Site. Paradoxically, it might also delay the early development of a world-class 21st Century Visitor Centre that we all want to see.
“There is also a real risk that it would be successfully challenged in the Courts. These factors led me to the conclusion that such a moratorium would be counterproductive and would not add materially to the protections already in place.
“However, in view of the concern expressed by UNESCO, I have invited representatives of the World Heritage Centre to visit the site and to meet all the interested parties. My Department will co-ordinate and host that visit, and I hope that it can take place soon.”
(AMcE)
Related Northern Ireland News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
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.
01 February 2013
John Lewis Plans Scrapped
John Lewis has withdrawn its plans to build a news shopping centre at Sprucefield, near Lisburn. Environment Minister Alex Attwood has said he would not be changing his mind, and that the development would have to be limited to stores selling bulky goods.
John Lewis Plans Scrapped
John Lewis has withdrawn its plans to build a news shopping centre at Sprucefield, near Lisburn. Environment Minister Alex Attwood has said he would not be changing his mind, and that the development would have to be limited to stores selling bulky goods.
13 October 2011
Belfast's Future Transport 'On The Buses'
Belfast is set to build a new, faster way of getting its inhabitants around the city. While the NI capital isn't San Francisco and won't be getting a similar transport system to the iconic Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART) system, the city's transport may soon take on a distinctly European character instead.
Belfast's Future Transport 'On The Buses'
Belfast is set to build a new, faster way of getting its inhabitants around the city. While the NI capital isn't San Francisco and won't be getting a similar transport system to the iconic Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART) system, the city's transport may soon take on a distinctly European character instead.
27 January 2011
Latest Steps In Causeway Centre Taken
Just over six months after preliminary developments took place, large-scale construction work has now started on the new Giant's Causeway World Heritage Site Visitors' Centre. Hundreds of jobs are to be created as construction work gets underway, with the target opening date set for summer 2012.
Latest Steps In Causeway Centre Taken
Just over six months after preliminary developments took place, large-scale construction work has now started on the new Giant's Causeway World Heritage Site Visitors' Centre. Hundreds of jobs are to be created as construction work gets underway, with the target opening date set for summer 2012.
10 December 2003
Mayor welcomes opening of Creggan Country Park
A £1.4 million recreational facility in the Creggan area of Londonderry has been officially opened today. The 100-acre site on the edge of the Creggan housing estate includes an activity centre, relocated fishery, a newly constructed jetty, a network of paths and extensive hard and soft landscaping.
Mayor welcomes opening of Creggan Country Park
A £1.4 million recreational facility in the Creggan area of Londonderry has been officially opened today. The 100-acre site on the edge of the Creggan housing estate includes an activity centre, relocated fishery, a newly constructed jetty, a network of paths and extensive hard and soft landscaping.
-
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.
