New push to secure £1m scheme for Ballynahinch

New push to secure £1m scheme for Ballynahinch

30 July 2014

A STORMONT minister has been urged to approve a £1m regeneration scheme in the heart of Ballynahinch.

Mark Durkan, the minister responsible for the Planning Service, has been asked to approve a scheme designed to regenerate the Lough Park which is being backed by the local community and several funders.

The project features a new 3G floodlit football pitch and a raft of environmental improvements and plans for community allotments.

The appeal to Mr. Durkan to approve the Lough Park project has been issued by Slieve Croob councillor Mark Murnin. It comes three months after the Environment Agency raised concerns about the impact the project would have on a local bat population.

Councillor Murnin said a new bat survey has been ordered and it’s his understanding that Environment Agency officials are now “happy” the soccer pitch won’t impact on the animals.

However, he said the Environment Agency is concerned about the loss of a small section of wetland at the Lough Park to facilitate the proposed location of the football pitch.

Councillor Murnin revealed that if the pitch had to be moved, a mains sewer would also have to be relocated which would add to the overall cost of the scheme. He said land earmarked for community allotments would also be lost.

“The Lough park scheme is designed to enhance this part of Ballynahinch. Interpretative panels are included in the project to ensure the wetland becomes not just a community facility, but a valuable educational resource,” he continued.

“We are talking about the loss of a very small part of the existing wetland to deliver a project that will provide this part of Ballynahinch and the town with a major gain. The proposed scheme will also enhance the existing wetland.”

Councillor Murnin is seeking a meeting with Mr. Durkan to discuss the Lough Park project and hopes the Minister will do all he can to pave the way for planning permission being secured.

“This project is an essential part of the ongoing development of Ballynahinch town centre,” he continued. “It aims to revitalise an area that has been neglected for decades and has been nothing more than a dumping ground and a liability to the local community.”

Last May, Councillor Murnin arranged for former Stormont Environment Minister Alex Attwood to visit the Lough Park while he was visiting the area.

“Mr. Attwood met with those involved with the development and it was his opinion that the overall enhancement of the area far more than compensated for the small loss of habitat to provide a new football pitch as part of the scheme,” he said.

Councillor Murnin added: “This is the clear message we will take to Minister Durkan, urging him to intervene by allowing planning to be granted without any delay on the original proposal.”