Cages plan for quays shelved by Minister

Cages plan for quays shelved by Minister

11 September 2013

A CONTROVERSIAL plan to seal off a large section of Strangford quay from the public has been put on hold.

The Department of Regional Development (DRD) was seeking planning approval to fence off part of the quay to provide a new checkpoint for tourists visiting the village in mini cruise ships.

But, following a major community and political campaign for the scheme to be shelved, DRD Minister Danny Kennedy has ordered no further work is undertaken on the planning application. Work on a similar checkpoint in Portaferry has also been suspended.

Mr. Kennedy said it was essential that this “wonderful part of Northern Ireland” was maintained and enhanced as a tourist attraction. He also confirmed he has written to his counterpart at the Department of Transport in London seeking a meeting to put forward a special case for Strangford and Portaferry “that would allow alternative options for compliance to come into play.”

While his decision to stop plans to erect two metre high metal security fences as part of new controlled access areas has been welcomed, the Strangford Community Association and local politicians insist there is no room for complacency. They say they will only be happy when the planning application is either withdrawn or refused by the Planning Service.

News of the controversial DRD proposal emerged at the end of June, sparking public uproar, with residents in Strangford arguing it would seriously restrict public access to the quay and have a detrimental impact on Strangford’s conservation area.

The DRD said it is required to provide controlled access areas under international shipping legislation to allow visitors to be met by harbour masters. People in Strangford disagree and are vehemently opposed to the plan.

Mr Diarmuid Riordan, chairman of the village’s community association, explained the group’s planning consultant advised that the application for the new access area was “invalid.”

He continued: “This is a simple land-grab by the DRD at the expense of the village. This planning application must be withdrawn. Quite apart from the planning issues, this proposal makes no sense.

“As a former ferry boat skipper and managing director of a company which operated ferries and cruise vessels in Strangford Lough and around British and Irish waters, the DRD proposal is unworkable from a passenger safety point of view in my opinion.”

Strangford resident, Mr. Hugh Lundy, said the DRD application relates to part of a designated conservation area, suggesting it’s “manifestly obvious” that the proposed development meets none of the mandatory criteria for developing in such a location.

South Down MP Margaret Ritchie said the decision to halt work on the Strangford proposal represents a “victory” for people in the village and called for the planning application to be binned.

She also confirmed she’s raised the issue with the Transport Minister at Westminster and is seeking an urgent meeting with him to discuss what she described as “viable alternatives.”

Miss Ritchie said other options must now be considered that would not infringe on the rights of local residents and the natural heritage of Strangford.

The MP added: “It’s quite clear a proposed fence would have been out of character with the conservation area and would impact on local residential and environmental amenity. Any fence proposal would block access to the moorings and local fishing rights and would be an infringement of the rights of the community of Strangford.”