Planners will not stop the felling of Dundrum trees

Planners will not stop the felling of Dundrum trees

21 October 2015

PLANNERS will not intervene to stop the controversial removal of trees in Dundrum to create new parking spaces near a new school.

Residents in the village are concerned work to provide the spaces opposite a multi-million pound school development, which will result in the removal of a number of trees, also has the potential to impact on much larger mature trees which form part of Dundrum’s historic character.

Almost £3.5m is being invested in a new infants centre for Knockevin Special School which will provide a second campus for the Downpatrick-based school. The centre will cater for 32 children aged from three to eight years old.

Residents fear the proposed parking spaces could also pose a threat to road safety and argue there are already enough existing parking spaces on the same side of the road as the new school.

In response to concerns expressed by residents and councillor Patrick Clarke, planners say full permission for the Knockevin development was granted in 2010 and development is at an advanced stage.

In a letter to the Mournes councillor, planners say as part of the final approved scheme, two parking spaces were to be provided on the far side of the road outside the school to off-set the loss of a larger parking space due to work on the new multi-million pound scheme. Planners say the provision of the two spaces required the removal of  three young trees.

Their letter continues: “This was the final approved scheme as it was previously proposed to remove larger mature trees. However, a compromise was reached to retain the mature trees and remove three young trees. The Environment Agency and Transport NI were fully aware and content with this final approved scheme.”

Planners confirmed work to provide the two new spaces has not yet commenced, but permission to develop them has been granted.

Their letter adds: “Accordingly, the Planning Authority of Newry, Mourne and Down Council has no further comment to make in this respect, unless a further application is received for amendments to this previous permission.”

Councillor Clarke said residents remain concerned they were not formally consulted about the provision of the two parking bays which were not sought by Knockevin School and, he argued, not needed in the village.

He added: “Concern remains that work to provide these two spaces could damage the root systems of the existing mature trees which are an important feature of Dundrum Main Street.

“There continues to be a need for proper consultation on the issue in order to seek clarification and, most importantly, provide residents with an opportunity to raise their concerns with a view to resolving this matter.”