Race track proposal to be aired at Ballyhornan meeting

Race track proposal to be aired at Ballyhornan meeting

30 October 2013

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

The Ballyhornan Family Centre will be the venue for the meeting next Thursday evening, November 7, at 6pm.

Last month, 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 planners agreed to defer their recommendation to allow the issue to be discussed at a public meeting.

Race track owner, Mr. Jim O’Brien, will address next week’s meeting when members of the public will have an opportunity to put forward their views on the proposal.

Local politicians support the proposed increase in the number of race days, highlighting the importance of the Bishopscourt race track to the local economy and the key role it plays in attracting visitors and spending power to the area. Seventy five people have objected to an increase in race days.

Ahead of next week’s meeting, councillors Éamonn Mac Con Midhe and Dermot Curran are encouraging people to make the most of the opportunity the meeting provides them with to air their views.

Councillor Mac Con Midhe said the issue of the number of days the race circuit can be used needs to be addressed. He said while people are objecting to an increase, it’s his understanding that they are not all from the Bishopscourt and Ballyhornan areas.

“This race circuit is a key attraction,” he said. “It draws thousands of people to our district, boosting our economy. I believe the number of days it can be used needs to be increased.

Mr. Mac Con Midhe said he understood a representative from the Planning Service was to attend the meeting and expressed disappointment after learning that this was not the case at Monday night’s meeting of Down Council.

At the meeting Planning Service representative Annette McAlarney said there had been a “misunderstanding” on that issue but that she would raise it with her management.

Councillor Curran said there are residents who have concerns about noise associated with the race track, highlighting the importance of their voices being heard. He said the meeting will allow a diverse range of views to be put forward.