Scheme could end village dumping

Scheme could end village dumping

29 October 2014

PLANS for 18 new social homes in Ardglass provides an opportunity to address an illegal dumping problem in the village, according to a local politician.

Fold Housing is planning to provide a mixed development on land opposite the existing Seaview estate off the Strangford Road featuring one-bedroom apartments and two and three-bedroomed houses.

The Seaview estate is separated from the proposed housing development by the Mill River which has been used over the years as an illegal dump with old carpet and electrical appliances dumped in it. Litter is also thrown into the waterway.

Concerns about the safety of children playing in the vicinity of the river have also been raised over the years by concerned parents and community representatives.

Councillor Curran believes the proposed social housing scheme provides an opportunity to pipe the section of river between both housing areas, suggesting the cost could be split among a number of bodies.

He hopes agreement can be reached to pipe the river which flows into the village’s harbour with the costs shared between Fold Housing, Down Council, the Rivers Agency, Housing Executive and Northern Ireland Electricity.

Councillor Curran believes piping the river and covering it with grass will make this part of Ardglass not only safer for children, but deter illegal dumpers.

“The Rivers Agency has to deploy staff to the Mill River on a regular basis to remove waste which has been dumped illegally. Seaview residents have raised concerns about this issue with me over many years and the simple fact is that if this section of the river was piped, waste could not be dumped in it,” he continued.

“Down Council-owned sports pitches are a short distance from the river while there are many Executive tenants living in Seaview. Northern Ireland Electricity has key equipment at this part of the village so maybe the various bodies could chip in with the cost of piping the river.”

Turning to the proposed new housing scheme, Councillor Curran described its development as “timely.”

“There are many local people who want to live in village but cannot get home as demand outstrips supply. Hopefully the Fold scheme can help address this problem,” he said.

Councillor Curran said he has discussed plans for the proposed 18 homes with the Planning Service which has indicated it sees no major issues with the cul-de-sac scheme which features communal parking, amenity space and road humps to restrict the speed of vehicles.