Public meeting planned on race track

Public meeting planned on race track

2 October 2013

A PUBLIC meeting is to be held before the end of the month to discuss the future growth of the Bishopscourt race circuit outside Downpatrick.

The owner of the facility is seeking permission to increase the number of race days at the circuit from 16 to 30 and his proposal has securing the backing of the Ballyhornan Community Association.

Members of the group have met with circuit owner Jim O’Brien to pledge their support for his plan, but a number of residents in the Ballyhornan area are concerned about the noise generated during racing events.

At last week’s meeting of the Ballyhornan Realm Integrated Group, whose membership includes residents, politicians and representatives from various statutory agencies, it was agreed to hold a public meeting to debate the proposal to extend the number of races which can be held at the race circuit.

The meeting is due to be held before the end of October at the Ballyhornan Family Centre. In attendance will be representatives from the Planning Service and Down Council’s environmental health staff.

At the end of August, the Planning Service ruled against a plan to almost double the number of racing events at the track. However, planners agreed to defer their decision.

A number of local politicians are backing the increased use of the race track, highlighting its importance to the local economy and the key role it plays attracting visitors to the area.

They say while they recognise 76 people have objected to the planned growth of the race track, it has an important role to play and that the owner of the facility deserves support.

The local community group says the track owner has been working hard and investing a considerable amount of money in the facility. The group believes the noise associated with events at the race track is not as bad as it once was.

Community group officials say there is a second race track operating at Bishopscourt which is generating noise but it does not have planning permission.

Councillor Éamonn Mac Con Midhe said a public meeting on the proposed growth of the Bishopscourt track will allow everyone with a view on the proposal to be heard. He said a lot of money has been invested in the circuit which attracts thousands of visitors to the area.

Councillor Dermot Curran said the public meeting provides everyone with an opportunity to have their say on the circuit hosting additional race meetings.

He added: “I am aware that there are some people who have concerns about the noise race meetings generate. They will have an opportunity at the public meeting to put these directly to planners and local council officials.”