Menu
05/12/2001
Local council reject bids for Causeway visitor centre
The Chairman of Moyle District Council has said he is “devastated” by the news that plans have been scrapped to sell off the visitor’s centre at the renowned Giant’s Causeway.
Councillors on Moyle District Council convened on Tuesday, December 4, to make their final decisions on two multi-million pound projects designed to redevelop the tourist centre site, which since it was destroyed by fire last year has been operating in temporary buildings.
Due to a lack of internal financial aid, the council decided in February this year to put the site up for sale. September was the deadline for bids to be submitted and the council received two bids, one from The National Trust and another from a private developer, each were worth around £10 million.
Chairman of the council, Randal McDonnell said the decision by councillors to decide not to proceed with the sale was “inexplicable”. Speaking on Wednesday December 5 he said: “At the meeting in which all councillors were present, a majority vote by 9-6 revealed that the councillors were not prepared to go ahead with the sale, despite a decision ten months ago stating the opposite.
“I am very disappointed by this decision. However I’m sure the councillors have a good reason for changing their minds.
But he added that both bids received had completely fulfilled the district council’s established criteria and that the money more than met their needs. He said: “Its like getting a fairy godmother who is going to give you £10 million and then you find out its being taken away. At this moment there is no other offer. We don’t have £10 million to fund the project, but the situation the way it is now is totally inadequate. Something must be done.”
Currently at the world famous site, temporary buildings are being used to provide facilities for the visitors, which number around 400,000 per annum.
Analysts predict in five years the Giant’s Causeway tourist centre will receive visits from an estimated three quarters of a million tourists a year. (AMcE)
Councillors on Moyle District Council convened on Tuesday, December 4, to make their final decisions on two multi-million pound projects designed to redevelop the tourist centre site, which since it was destroyed by fire last year has been operating in temporary buildings.
Due to a lack of internal financial aid, the council decided in February this year to put the site up for sale. September was the deadline for bids to be submitted and the council received two bids, one from The National Trust and another from a private developer, each were worth around £10 million.
Chairman of the council, Randal McDonnell said the decision by councillors to decide not to proceed with the sale was “inexplicable”. Speaking on Wednesday December 5 he said: “At the meeting in which all councillors were present, a majority vote by 9-6 revealed that the councillors were not prepared to go ahead with the sale, despite a decision ten months ago stating the opposite.
“I am very disappointed by this decision. However I’m sure the councillors have a good reason for changing their minds.
But he added that both bids received had completely fulfilled the district council’s established criteria and that the money more than met their needs. He said: “Its like getting a fairy godmother who is going to give you £10 million and then you find out its being taken away. At this moment there is no other offer. We don’t have £10 million to fund the project, but the situation the way it is now is totally inadequate. Something must be done.”
Currently at the world famous site, temporary buildings are being used to provide facilities for the visitors, which number around 400,000 per annum.
Analysts predict in five years the Giant’s Causeway tourist centre will receive visits from an estimated three quarters of a million tourists a year. (AMcE)
Related Northern Ireland News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
10 May 2005
DUP and SF repeat Westminster election success
As counting in Northern Ireland’s council elections proceeded today, the DUP has virtually repeated its Westminster performance by strengthening its hand in local government. Ian Paisley’s party increased its number of seats with 182 councillors being elected, up 52 on 2001 election figures with a near 30% share of the vote.
DUP and SF repeat Westminster election success
As counting in Northern Ireland’s council elections proceeded today, the DUP has virtually repeated its Westminster performance by strengthening its hand in local government. Ian Paisley’s party increased its number of seats with 182 councillors being elected, up 52 on 2001 election figures with a near 30% share of the vote.
23 June 2009
Environmental Plan 'Rubbished'
Belfast City Council has voted against plans to build a waste incinerator on land it owns on the north foreshore at Belfast Lough. The result of last night's meeting appears to fly in the face of public opinion, which had previously been shown to support such an initiative.
Environmental Plan 'Rubbished'
Belfast City Council has voted against plans to build a waste incinerator on land it owns on the north foreshore at Belfast Lough. The result of last night's meeting appears to fly in the face of public opinion, which had previously been shown to support such an initiative.
22 January 2002
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.
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.
02 July 2001
ALLOWANCE INCREASE FOR LOCAL COUNCILLORS
DISTRICT Councils are to be permitted to increase the allowances paid to their councillors by approximately 30 per cent with effect from 1 July 2001. Minister of the Environment Sam Foster made the announcement following a review of councillors’ existing remuneration.
ALLOWANCE INCREASE FOR LOCAL COUNCILLORS
DISTRICT Councils are to be permitted to increase the allowances paid to their councillors by approximately 30 per cent with effect from 1 July 2001. Minister of the Environment Sam Foster made the announcement following a review of councillors’ existing remuneration.
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:The day will be very windy with strong to gale force westerly winds becoming occasionally severe along the north coast. Sunny spells will be interspersed with scattered showers. Maximum temperature 8 °C.Tonight:West to northwest gale force winds, severe along the north coast, will continue overnight. Frequent showers persist, merging into longer periods of rain at times and turning wintry. Minimum temperature 1 °C.
