Council reverses decision on Giant’s Causeway bids

Moyle District Council has reversed its decision not to open the Giant’s Causeway tourist site up to private bidders.

The council voted by a majority to once again entertain bids from the National Trust and Seaports Investments, which were originally rejected by the councillors by a vote of 9-6 in December.

However, in the interim the move is dependent on legal advice and whether both organisations would still be in a position to tender bids.

Council chairman, Randal McDonnell, said: “I am delighted with the decision, as the situation was a nightmare. The facilities in place now are not appropriate to a national heritage site – a national treasure.”

Moyle District Council had considered a variety of alternative plans to keep the property within the overall control of the ratepayer. However, public private partnerships and other measures were deemed to be unsuitable. In recent weeks, a delegation of councillors held discussions with Trade and Investment minister Sir Reg Empey and the Tourist Board on the project. The current state of the tourist centre and the result of these meetings precipitated Monday’s vote.

“I believe that minds were concentrated during these meetings and councillors were persuaded that rate payers and tourists would receive best value for money from the bidders’ proposals,” said Mr McDonnell.

The council first put the site up for sale in February 2001 and the National Trust and Seaport Investments both had their bids in place by the September deadline.

The £10 million pre-December proposals from the bidders suggested a completion date of 2004/2005, and it had been generally accepted that both bids fulfilled the district council’s criteria. In the meantime, Mr McDonnell said that “staff would do what they can, and they have performed admirably well under difficult circumstances”.

Portacabins are in operation to facilitate visitors at the world-famous site, which caters for around 350,000-400,000 tourists per annum.

The council will hold a special meeting on Wednesday February 6 to discuss further the status of a preferred bidder for the site. (GMcG)