Viking village plans moving step closer

Viking village plans moving step closer

17 July 2019

AMBITIOUS plans to create a medieval Viking settlement on the outskirts of Downpatrick are being recommended for approval by local planners.

Permission is being sought for a new re-enactment and education facility at the Drumcullen Road with members of Newry, Mourne and Down Council’s Planning Committee set to be asked next week to grant temporary approval for a three-year period.

Amended plans for the new development — which has secured the support of the St Patrick Visitor Centre —have been lodged to provide what are being described as six small, wooden medieval structures which will be located in a timber palisade enclosure. 

In papers submitted ahead of next week’s planning meeting in Newry, planners have explained that the development site, located in an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, is bounded by the Drumcullen Road to the north and the shore of Ballydugan Lake. Parking for those visiting the site is being made available at Ballydugan Mill.

Twenty five objections to the proposed development have been described by planners as “anonymous” with the issues raised ranging from impact on residents, road users and wildlife to health and safety concerns and the viability of the proposals. Other areas of concern included parking provision, litter and waste management.

Planners have confirmed that issues in relations to roads matters have been raised with the Department for Infrastructure which has raised no objection. It has also been confirmed that people visiting the medieval settlement will park at Ballydugan Mill before continuing their journey by bus.

The Environment Agency also has no objections to the proposal with planners indicating that health and safety concerns in relation to Ballydugan Lake are matters outside their remit and are subject to licensing and regulation.

In relation to waste management issues, the planning papers explain that this particular issue has been addressed via consultation with the Environment Agency’s water management unit which is content with the proposal.

No artificial lighting is proposed as part of the medieval development and the site will not be directly open to the public, with access via pre-booking.

Planners say it is envisaged that the settlement will become part of a wider tourist initiative and its emphasis will be on education with plans to build upon links with other attractions, such as the St Patrick Centre and Downpatrick and Co Down Railway, the latter of which runs trains trips to the Viking grave of Magnus Barelegs and Inch Abbey.

Five of the proposed new five metre by three metre buildings will be used for demonstration and interactive purposes for a range of medieval crafts with the other building to be used as a shelter.

It is also confirmed in the planning papers that those behind the proposal have previously used the six buildings on temporary sites, including on the banks of the Slaney River by the local council to re-enact St Patrick’s landing.

Sanitary provision at the Drumcullen Road site will be via Portaloos, complete with integrated hand washing facilities. As part of the proposed planning permission, the Portaloos must be emptied by a licensed waste carrier, while water used by an on-site blacksmith must not be emptied into a watercourse.

In addition, the Rivers Agency has advised that given the proposal’s lakeside location, those behind the plan should obtain advice from “competent, suitably qualified persons” to assist in determining appropriate finished floor levels.

Planners say the proposed development will not have a detrimental impact on the area’s rural landscape, explaining they are recommending approval for three years to allow the operator time to ascertain the viability of the enterprise.

They argue the 36-month approval will also allow Newry, Mourne and Down Council to maintain what they have described as a “level of control” on the development and to reassess the situation in three years’ time.

Planners insist that this is important in the protection of rural amenity, wider sustainability objectives and the long-term health of the district’s tourism industry. They conclude that the proposal complies with relevant planning policies.