From the pages of the Down Recorder, April 29, 1992

From the pages of the Down Recorder, April 29, 1992

27 April 2022

BALLYNAHINCH – A scheme to construct 16 new Housing Executive homes is to begin in Ballynahinch in the next 12 months, it has been revealed.

The development of a first  phase of a new estate at Windmill Gardens accounts for more than half of the Executive’s new build programme for Down District.

The housing body says it is only able to build 31 in the next 12 months – despite an increase of 77 on the waiting list, bringing the total to 731.

Ardglass is to get eight new homes and seven new dwellings are to be constructed in Dundrum.

Full details of the programme are to presented at a special meeting of Down District Council tomorrow night.

Executive bosses will also reveal that a land shortage which has prevented any major housing development in Newcastle for many years is close to being solved.

In a report to councillors the Executive will announce it is in the process of acquiring a site from a willing seller in the town.

“For several years our plans to provide new public sector housing have been frustrated by the non-availability of suitable sites in Newcastle and the  acquisition of this site is seen as an important step in meeting housing needs in the town,” explains the Executive.

“We are also progressing plans to develop a site in Stream Street, Downpatrick, which we hope to acquire to provide town centre accommodation which is sure to be in great demand.”

NEWCASTLE – A controversial plan to extend a Newcastle amusement arcade has been vetoed this week by planners.

The Planning Service has refused permission to Joyland Amusements to extend its arcade in the town by converting a vacant supermarket at Central Promenade.

The planners say it would have a detrimental impact on the amenity of the adjoining residential area.

Six letters of objection and two petitions were lodged against the proposal.

An attempt at last week’s council meeting to have the refusal deferred to allow the arcade owner to put his case to planners was outvoted 11-9.

Ulster Unionist, Mr Gerry Douglas, asked for the deferment. He said he was not taking an opposite view to the planners but he believed the owner should be given a hearing.

However, the SDLP’s Mr Michael Boyd said he welcomed the planning refusal and that to take any other course of action would send out a wrong signal to the planners.

Mr Boyd said it is important the council signals that this refusal is “in line” with council policy and what it wants for Newcastle.

He added that the refusal will be welcome news to the people of Ruby House home adjacent to the proposed extension.

KILLYLEAGH – It’s been a long way from Tipperary to Killyleagh for one man – and he hopes to make his journey even longer.

Robin Deasy has become a familiar figure around the town’s harbour area in the past few weeks as he prepares for a challenge with a difference.

Tipperary-born Deasy has leased out his farm in the South of Ireland to set up the Spirit of Ireland challenge – the first Irish challenge at grand prix multihull ocean racing,

In the last three weeks he has been busy at Killyleagh labour preparing his boat for the challenges ahead.

Robin has said: “It’s been marvellous in Killyleagh, The crack has been great and I’ve been delighted with the visitors to the boat. People have been really helpful.”

BRYANSFORD – Buyers from all over Ireland descended on the village of Bryansford last week when an auction of furnishings was held at the former home of the Earl of Roden.

The Earl’s home at the exit gate of Tollymore Park is to be converted into apartments, a craft shop and a restaurant if plans submitted to the DoE Planning Service are approved.

Despite last week’s poor weather, there was  a strong attendance at the auction of household items and antiques from the Earl’s home.

The auction was handled f James Wilson and Son and approximately 360 lots went under the hammer.

Among the top prices paid were £1,650 for an antique Georgian mahogany desk, £1,500 for two hide armchairs and £1,100 for an antique Georgian mahogany sideboard.

KILLOUGH – A Government Department has been publicly criticised this week for carrying out work on an environment improvement scheme in the village of Killough – before planning permission has been granted.

Local SDLP councillor, Mr Malachi Curran, told Down Council that it was “a matter of public concern” that work began on the scheme before planning approval has been granted.

Mr Curran made his comments when the council was consulted on the planning application from the Department of the Environment to replace existing concrete bollards with fewer new ornamental bollards.

“It is vitally important that the Crown sets an example. The letter and the spirit of the law should be followed. If consultation with the council means anything councillors should be allowed to express their views on an application,” said Mr Curran.

He pointed out that a petition had been signed by almost half the villagers expressing concern at the type of replacement bollard being used.

Mr Curran wanted that it work begins again without formal planning approval then he would have no option but to write to the Minister.

STRANGFORD – The Mournes and Strangford Lough should become National Parks, in keeping with nationally-important beauty spots in Great Britain.

That’s the view of local environmentalists who say National park status would go a long way towards safeguarding the future of both areas.

They say the Mournes and Strangford Lough should be given the same protection as the Peaks District, Lake District and the Norfolk Broads, with controls on development and wardens empowered to enforce regulations.

The recommendation was one of a series emerging from a recent environmental conference in Downpatrick which was organised by the local Friends of the Earth with the support of Down College of Further Education and Down Council’s community relations branch. 

Held in Down Leisure Centre, the conference comprised a number of ‘workshops’ which examined several areas of environmental concern. Taking part were local conservationists and more than 100 pupils from six local schools.

On the Mournes and Strangford Lough, the conference also recommended controls on dumping and on the use of fertilisers and pesticides; restrictions on peat cutting to protect bogland; and controls on tourism in ‘environmentally sensitive areas.

SEAFORDE – Down District’s newest tourist attraction has opened in Seaforde amidst a blaze of publicity.

Television cameras descended on Seaforde Estate this week to take a look at the vast gardens owner Mr Patrick Forde has recently opened to the public.

The gardens are being featured in an edition of the popular gardening series ‘Greenfingers’ to be broadcast on BBC 2 at the end of the month.

Comprising four-and-a-half acres, the gardens, with their beautifully-manicured lawns and hundreds of rare plants are the result of almost 20 years’ painstaking work.

And one of the highlights for visitors will be a journey through Ireland’s oldest maze.

The two-and-a-half acre flower garden dates back to 1758. Back then, it was managed by an army of gardeners. It has been brought back to its former glory by just a handful of staff.

CLOUGH – A new chapter in the history of the Presbyterian congregation in Clough opened on Saturday with the unveiling of a new church hall.

The hall, which has cost in excess of £250,000 was officially opened by the Moderator of the Presbyterian Church in Ireland, Dr Rodney Sterritt, who congratulated the congregation on their foresight and commitment.

The new hall replaces a former hall built 90 years ago and marks the culmination of three year’s planning and construction.