Now Portaferry villagers oppose ‘cage’ proposals

Now Portaferry villagers oppose ‘cage’ proposals

10 July 2013

ANGER over plans for a fenced off area at Strangford quay has spread to Portaferry where a similar development is planned.

The Department of Regional Development (DRD) wants to fence off part of the quays in both villages to provide a “controlled access area” for people visiting the village in mini cruise ships.

There has been strong criticism of the plan in Strangford and this week residents of Portaferry have also been voicing their concern through local councillor, Joe Boyle.

There are also indications the proposal for fenced off areas to provide passport control facilities should never apply to either of the lough villages.

Down councillor Cadogan Enright says the regulations surrounding such access areas clearly relate to vessels which could not possibly get into Strangford or Portaferry.

He said a wide range of shipping is excluded such as cargo ships of less than 500 tonnes, pleasure yachts or fishing vessels.

“There have only been a few examples in recent years of small cruise ships coming into the Lough, including the Balmoral and the Hebredean Princess. These cannot possibly require passport control since they are GB registered ships sailing within UK waters,” he said.

“These ships do not dock but anchor in the lough at Audley’s Roads. Passengers coming ashore go via a tender to Portaferry and on to places of interest.,” he added.

Councillor Boyle accused the Department of trying to “railroad” the planning application through without consultation from local people or those who regularly use the quay in Portaferry.

“It is understood that this application is related to European Union directives and is a necessary requirement to provide such areas under international shipping and port security legislation to allow visitors to be met by harbour masters on arrival,” said Mr. Boyle.

“If this is the case, the proposal to install such cordoning of zones at both Strangford and Portaferry quays are at best extreme and at worse ill thought out and above all would appear to be a complete waste of the Department’s valuable resources,” he added.

Mr. Boyle said there is real concern that erecting unnecessary fenced areas on both sides of the lough will not only be a blight in an area of outstanding natural beauty, but will serve little purpose.

“Whist we all want to encourage tourism to Strangford Lough, to date the numbers of mini cruise ships are so few it shouldn’t be beyond the Department to deploy the necessary resources required to address the concerns that may arise from those disembarking from these cruise ships and subsequently intent on entering either Strangford or Portaferry,” he said.