Residents voice concern over conservation in Strangford

Residents voice concern over conservation in Strangford

21 November 2018

A NUMBER of Strangford residents have expressed concern that local council officials are not doing enough to defend the village’s conversation status.

People who live at Castle Street in the village expressed concern when news emerged of the latest phase of an NIE rewiring scheme which is designed to remove external wires and place them underground.

Residents have raised their concern with local councillor Cadogan Enright, who says the village’s conservation designation requires the removal of power cables from the front of architecturally signifcant buildings

He explained that as part of the first phase of work, cables were relocated underground in keeping with the village’s conservation designation. But he said this is not the plan for phase two of the scheme.

“There are very good reasons why old stone buildings should not have metal pins rammed into their fabric to hold power cables in place and NIE has already had to pay compensation to one householder for damage,” he explained.

Cllr Enright also claimed Newry, Mourne and Down Council has a “conflict of interest” in the Strangford issue as it has built what he described as a “concrete carbuncle of a pocket park” in Castle Street without planning permission. He argued the development is also at odds with the official village plan. 

“The local authority is already the subject of a planning enforcement complaint against itself which it is struggling to respond to. It is most likely that both of these cases will have to be adjudged by the Public Sector Ombudsman as if local council acts against NIE it will have to act against itself too,” he continued.

“In my opinion, the Ombudsman is the only likely resolution of this problem. It is depressing that the Department of Communities Historic Environment Division and Newry, Mourne and Down Council seem to have no problem in acting against locals trying to improve their properties in conservation areas, but appear to forget their duties when dealing with state agencies or their own management.”

Local architect and Strangford resident Clifford McClenigan said NIE would be expected to effect the conservation plan every time it upgrades wiring in the area. 

“The fact that all the houses rewired to date had their wiring relocated underground demonstrates persuasive evidence that previous NIE project managers were aware of the requirements of the conservation plan,” he said.

“It is inexplicable why NIE is now attempting to bully residents into accepting an outcome that is not consistent with planning law.”

Another resident, Michael Wightman, said those concerned about the NIE scheme have met with officials from the HED.

He added: “It was clear from the meeting that realisation of the conservation designation rests with Newry Mourne and Down Council as the HED has no role.”

A spokesperson for NIE Networks explained that the organisation has been engaging with local residents and agencies on this matter for some time.

She explained that the aim of the discussions was in the interest of achieving a resolution to the essential repairs and equipment replacement required in the area. 

“We hope to reach a conclusion on the matter soon so as to ensure the continued efficiency of the electricity equipment and the safety of residents and our engineers,” the spokeswoman added.