Public meeting to hear of race track growth proposal

Public meeting to hear of race track growth proposal

4 September 2013

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

The move comes after the Planning Service deferred the refusal of planning permission for almost double the number of racing events held at the track.

Planners were recommending that a proposal to increase the number of race days from 16 to 30 should be refused given local objections, but they agreed to defer the decision at last week’s meeting of Down Council.

Local politicians support the increase, highlighting it is 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.

No date or venue for the public meeting has yet been confirmed but it’s hoped that in attendance will be politicians, planners, race circuit owner Mr. Jim O’Brien and those in favour and opposed to its growth. The area’s MP and MLAs will also be invited, along with a representative from the Department of Culture Arts and Leisure.

Councillor Éamonn Mac Con Midhe said a public meeting is necessary to allow everyone with a view on the expansion of the race circuit to be heard.

“A lot of money has been invested in the race circuit over the past number of years. It attracts thousands of visitors and I believe Down Council should be supporting its owner and providing him with much more help and support,” he declared.

“The issue of the number of days this track can be used has been an ongoing issue since I was elected and we need to sort it out. While there are objectors they do not all come from the Bishopscourt and Ballyhornan areas.”

Councillor Liam Johnston said the local authority should be supporting the proposed increase in the number of days the track can be used.

He said while there are concerns about noise associated with racing events, it’s his understanding that Down Council’s environmental health officials are satisfied these can be addressed.

“The vast majority of the local community support this facility alongside local politicians and our environmental health officials. Let’s move the issue forward, starting with a public meeting to allow people to air their views,” added Councillor Johnston.

Downpatrick councillor, Cadogan Enright, said he understood that not all of the people who objected to the increased usage of the race track are from the Bishopscourt and Ballyhornan areas.

“I have been in this area a lot over the past few months and have yet to meet a single person opposed to the race circuit. What should be of concern is an illegal race track, which has nothing to do with the owner of the Bishopscourt circuit, operating at this part of the world.

“Why are we making it difficult for people who are co-operating and doing something positive for the local community while others are not?”

Councillor Dermot Curran said a public meeting would provide everyone with an interest in the Bishopscourt circuit to have their say, issuing a reminder that there are people who have concerns about the noise associated with racing events at the track.