Strangford work raises concerns

Strangford work raises concerns

4 February 2015

RESIDENTS in Strangford have expressed concern about redevelopment work taking place at the village’s lower green as part of a £200,000 tourism initiative.

Contractors moved on site a number of weeks ago, but politicians and members of the Strangford Community Association are unhappy with the Down Council scheme that is being delivered, arguing it fails to respect the village’s conservation status.

Prior to work getting underway, community representatives and local authority officials were at odds over how the important community space should be developed.

The lower green — which hosts a summer fair and community festival and is also used to launch small boats — is being given a major overhaul. 

Strangford Community Association chairman, Diarmuid Riordan, said many representations were made to Down Council by the group and politicians ahead of work starting, urging the local authority not to “spoil the amenity of the village.”

He said council officials were urged to reflect suggestions contained in the Strangford village plan which was produced by the local community group for the redevelopment of the lower green, a document he explained which was “widely consulted upon and had gained the support of the great majority of  local people.”

Mr. Riordan said the village plan detailed improvements for the lower green and other areas, concentrating on the improvement of the area by removing unnecessary signs, clutter and obstructions to open up the view, whilst providing and renewing existing features in an attempt to retain the charm and character of Strangford. 

Residents are unhappy with a number of aspects of the work which they say “clutters and obstructs views,” claiming the scheme is completely against the wishes of the community association and residents and in conflict with Strangford’s conservation status.

South Down MLA Chris Hazzard accused Down Council of going ahead with its “impoverished vision” for Strangford to create a spectacle which has united everyone who cares about the village, 

“The local authority has clearly failed to respect the conservation status of the area and driven ahead with this project in a manner that is significantly detrimental to the character of Strangford. The local community association engaged with Down Council from the outset, but residents feel they have been sidelined as officials have evidently regarded local consultation as pointless as council management remained incorrigible in the face of local concerns,” he added.

Councillor Cadogan Enright claimed Down Council management has repeatedly justified its position on the lower green by an “obscene desire” to spend a large amount of money before a New Year deadline, despite having had 18 months to reflect the needs of local people. 

“Council management has broken many promises made to local people.The need to spend money should not have over-ridden local democracy,” he added, revealing community officials hope that the Newry, Mourne and Down super council which goes live on April 1 will be able to “convert this fiasco into something more meaningful and worthwhile for everyone.”

Strangford resident, Michael Meharg, suggested the local authority’s “carbuncle” is in stark contrast to what the community wanted, describing railings at the lower green as “unsightly and unnecessarily heavy.”

A Down Council spokeswoman said the organisation has at all times respected the conservation status of the area and that the works carried out are classed as ‘permitted development’ in all respects.

“The Council would point out that by and large the scheme as carried out is also in accordance with the village plan as published.

“There were some minor elements of the plan which had to be amended for operational reasons; this is quite normal in this type of scheme,” she continued.

The spokeswoman added: “Down Council does not agree that the scheme harms the conservation status nor the character of Strangford. All of the historic features remain. This scheme will improve and enhance the lower green and pocket park areas with high quality, well designed, open and public spaces, using top quality products and materials.”