National Trust and villagers to discuss reserve

National Trust and villagers to discuss reserve

24 October 2012

A PUBLIC meeting will take place in Dundrum on Monday night to discuss the National Trust’s plans for the Murlough Nature Reserve.

Among the items up for discussion at the meeting, in St. Donard’s Church Hall at 7.30pm, is the Trust plan to do away with the residents’ pass scheme which gives local car owners access to the reserve for an annual fee of £23.

Local councillor, Patrick Clarke, has organised the meeting with senior Trust officials following concerns raised by angry residents in Dundrum who are being asked to upgrade their residents’ pass membership to full Trust membership which costs £53.

Over 100 people have signed a petition expressing concern about the proposal which is due to take effect from January 2013. Many local residents have said they will not take out Trust membership and have accused officials of dealing with the issue in a high handed manner.

“The proposed introduction of full National Trust membership of £53 pounds from January 2013 to local residents of Dundrum to Murlough Nature Reserve has been the cause of much annoyance in recent months due to the lack of consultation over the proposal,” sad Mr. Clarke.

“Dundrum residents who have held a resident’s pass for many years to allow their vehicles into Murlough Nature Reserve at an annual fee of £23 are now being informed that they will be required to take out full National Trust membership at £53.”

Mr. Clarke said the Trust decision was “wholly unacceptable.”

“On a point of principal I would agree with Dundrum residents that the doubling of entrance fees to the car park area of the north point of Murlough without consultation to key fob holders is ridiculous.

“The National Trust officials have accepted they didn’t perhaps handle this as well as they could have and have now agreed following my request to meet pass holders to explain their plans for Murlough Nature Reserve.”

“I requested a public meeting with the National Trust in order that the air could be cleared and that pass holders who want to put their points directly to the National Trust officials have an opportunity to do so.” 

“The meeting which will also give the National Trust the opportunity to present their proposals on future plans for improving Murlough Nature Reserve and the experience of visiting it.”