MP and Minister back Ballynahinch park plan

MP and Minister back Ballynahinch park plan

28 August 2013

BALLYNAHINCH community groups have received the backing of Strangford MP Jim Shannon and Stormont Finance Minister Simon Hamilton in their bid to secure a new town park.

At a meeting in the town on Thursday both politicians said they would raise community concerns with Down Council over the delayed funding of the Lough Park project.

Last week councillor Mickey Coogan warned the Lough Park development proposals were danger if Down Council did not hand over its share of the funding — £400,000 — which was committed in January.

All funding is to be in place by March next year for work on the project to begin.

Proposals for the £1.7m project at Lough Park, spearheaded by environmental charity Groundwork NI, include a full size fenced and floodlit 3G pitch for sports, new pathways, interpretative panels and picnic benches, community allotments and play areas.

After Thursday’s meeting with Ballynahinch Olympic and Hillcrest Community Association, Temple Rangers and the Langley Road Community Association, Mr. Shannon said it had been a “frustratingly long” process for those involved.

“I have emailed the chief executive of Down District Council to encourage a speeding up of the process,” he said. “Although there are some issues that need looked at I have been informed that all pertinent information has been forwarded by Groundwork NI and therefore I call on Down District Council to push this project urgently.

“The monies needed are in the rates, the project will deliver a truly magnificent all weather playing surface in Ballynahinch, it has the support of all of the community and therefore council impetus is now needed.”

Councillor Coogan said community representatives at the meeting had expressed concern that Down Council was not committed to seeing the project through. He described the backing of Mr. Shannon and Mr. Hamilton, however, as a “very satisfactory outcome”.

“The groups were very happy both politicians took the time to meet them,” he said.

“The groups have answered all the questions put to them by Down Council, but council recently started asking again what has been answered before.

“The overall feeling in Ballynahinch is that council do not have the will to see this project through and people are obviously looking for reasons why that may be.”

Councillor Coogan added that in the run up to an election some councillors may be in favour of the £400,000 being spread into smaller projects across the district.

A spokeswoman for Down Council said the council was working to resolve outstanding issues surrounding the project.

She said: “At the Strategic Policy and Resources Committee meeting of January 7, 2013, members agreed that in principle Council will provide funding of up to £400,000 for the Ballynahinch Lough proposals, subject to further detailed analysis of the business case.

“Accordingly a number of meetings and written communications with the group and their Agents, Groundwork NI, have taken place.

“A number of issues remain outstanding and the Council is working closely with the group to resolve these issues.”