Menu
27/02/2002
Seaport Investments submit plan for Causeway Centre
Seaport Investments is to push ahead with its plans to build a tourist centre near the Giant's Causeway in spite of a Moyle Council vote to turn down its bid to do so earlier this month.
The new proposal from the company caters for a 2700 sq m underground centre, 150 parking spaces, an interactive sector, a library, a restaurant and specialist areas for school parties among other facilities. The company believes that the site could be up and running in 18 months time if given the go-ahead and may provide jobs for up to 30 people.
Both Seaport Investments and the National Trust had tendered £10 million bids to the council to develop the site last September but, after a number of U-turns, the council finally rejected both options. Since that vote on February 6, the council had been seeking alternatives to retain the entire site within the ownership of the ratepayer.
Seaport Investments decided to move independently when, they claim, it was discovered the land flagged for development was found to be part of the World Heritage Site.
Managing Director of Seaport Investments, Seymour Sweeney, said: "Towards the culmination of the sale process, the Environment and Heritage Service discovered that the council's land was actually part of the World Heritage Site and therefore not an appropriate place for any new development."
Seaport Investments has submitted a planning application for permission to build a tourist centre on land owned by the company lying adjacent to the World Heritage Site.
However, the planning proposal was met with disbelief by both Moyle District Councillors and the National Trust.
UUP councillor Robert McIllroy said: "This is an unbelievable situation. The council was put under great pressure from Stormont to keep the land within public ownership, but if this plan goes ahead the council have effectively lost a massive capital sum. In that respect, the real losers in all of this will be the rate payers of Moyle."
In a statement the National Trust said that it would wait for a ruling on the matter by DoE to "consider fully and properly in light of planning legislation and the forthcoming management plan for the Causeway Coast Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty".
(GMcG)
The new proposal from the company caters for a 2700 sq m underground centre, 150 parking spaces, an interactive sector, a library, a restaurant and specialist areas for school parties among other facilities. The company believes that the site could be up and running in 18 months time if given the go-ahead and may provide jobs for up to 30 people.
Both Seaport Investments and the National Trust had tendered £10 million bids to the council to develop the site last September but, after a number of U-turns, the council finally rejected both options. Since that vote on February 6, the council had been seeking alternatives to retain the entire site within the ownership of the ratepayer.
Seaport Investments decided to move independently when, they claim, it was discovered the land flagged for development was found to be part of the World Heritage Site.
Managing Director of Seaport Investments, Seymour Sweeney, said: "Towards the culmination of the sale process, the Environment and Heritage Service discovered that the council's land was actually part of the World Heritage Site and therefore not an appropriate place for any new development."
Seaport Investments has submitted a planning application for permission to build a tourist centre on land owned by the company lying adjacent to the World Heritage Site.
However, the planning proposal was met with disbelief by both Moyle District Councillors and the National Trust.
UUP councillor Robert McIllroy said: "This is an unbelievable situation. The council was put under great pressure from Stormont to keep the land within public ownership, but if this plan goes ahead the council have effectively lost a massive capital sum. In that respect, the real losers in all of this will be the rate payers of Moyle."
In a statement the National Trust said that it would wait for a ruling on the matter by DoE to "consider fully and properly in light of planning legislation and the forthcoming management plan for the Causeway Coast Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty".
(GMcG)
Related Northern Ireland News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
14 November 2024
New Defence Heritage Record Launched
Communities Minister Gordon Lyons has welcomed the launch of a new Defence Heritage Record, a comprehensive resource detailing over 4,500 sites constructed across Northern Ireland in response to World War One and Two, as well as the Cold War.
New Defence Heritage Record Launched
Communities Minister Gordon Lyons has welcomed the launch of a new Defence Heritage Record, a comprehensive resource detailing over 4,500 sites constructed across Northern Ireland in response to World War One and Two, as well as the Cold War.
09 September 2004
Draft plan for 'world-class' Giant's Causeway site published
The draft management plan for the Giant’s Causeway and Causeway Coast World Heritage Site has been published for public consultation today. Environment Minister Angela Smith said that the plan was designed to ensure that the site remained a "world-class visitor attraction", managed to sustain the natural environment and the local economy.
Draft plan for 'world-class' Giant's Causeway site published
The draft management plan for the Giant’s Causeway and Causeway Coast World Heritage Site has been published for public consultation today. Environment Minister Angela Smith said that the plan was designed to ensure that the site remained a "world-class visitor attraction", managed to sustain the natural environment and the local economy.
29 February 2008
Causeway Could 'See More' Of Sweeney
Controversial private developer Seymour Sweeney is appealing against the decision to refuse planning permission for his visitors' centre at the Giants Causeway. Mr Sweeney's company, Seaport NI Ltd, said the reasons for the refusal were "not sustainable". Previously Environment Minister Arlene Foster had said she was "minded" to approve the plans.
Causeway Could 'See More' Of Sweeney
Controversial private developer Seymour Sweeney is appealing against the decision to refuse planning permission for his visitors' centre at the Giants Causeway. Mr Sweeney's company, Seaport NI Ltd, said the reasons for the refusal were "not sustainable". Previously Environment Minister Arlene Foster had said she was "minded" to approve the plans.
30 August 2024
£1.2bn In Tourism Expenditure In 2023 – NISRA
The latest tourism statistics for 2023, which show £1.2 billion of tourism expenditure, have been welcomed by Economy Minister, Conor Murphy. The new figures released by NISRA show that tourism here is in a positive position following challenges created by the COVID pandemic, with an estimated 5.
£1.2bn In Tourism Expenditure In 2023 – NISRA
The latest tourism statistics for 2023, which show £1.2 billion of tourism expenditure, have been welcomed by Economy Minister, Conor Murphy. The new figures released by NISRA show that tourism here is in a positive position following challenges created by the COVID pandemic, with an estimated 5.
06 May 2016
Traders Lobby For Lidl Store Expansion
The Connswater Traders' Association has urged politicians and planning officials to support a proposed store expansion by supermarket Lidl at the site. A decision is due to be made on the planning application later this month.
Traders Lobby For Lidl Store Expansion
The Connswater Traders' Association has urged politicians and planning officials to support a proposed store expansion by supermarket Lidl at the site. A decision is due to be made on the planning application later this month.
-
Northern Ireland WeatherToday:It will be cloudy again throughout the day. Mainly dry in the morning, but patchy drizzle in places, becoming more widespread and persistent in the afternoon. Freshening southwesterly winds. Maximum temperature 12 °C.Tonight:Cloudy with a spell of heavy rain pushing south through late evening and the early hours, followed by some clear spells. Minimum temperature 6 °C.
