Almost 3,500 Objections Lodged Against Plans For Dundrod Cemetery

Almost 3,500 objection letters have been lodged to Lisburn & Castlereagh Council over plans to create a 96-acre cemetery on the Ulster Grand Prix circuit in Dundrod, Co Antrim.

The Ulster Grand Prix Supporters Club and promoters of the Ulster Grand Prix, the Dundrod & District Motorcycle Club, and local residents are opposed to the planned cemetery site on Quarterland Road for which the only access would be through the motorcycle racing circuit.

Des Stewart, Chairman of the Ulster Grand Prix Supporters Club said: "With a hugely successful 2016 Ulster Grant Prix just behind us, we are heartened that race fans far and wide feel strongly enough about the impact these plans could have on this international event to submit a letter of objection to Lisburn & Castlereagh City Council.

"The sheer volume of objections we have just delivered to the council demonstrates the important social, cultural and economic impact this event has and we stand by our view that were a cemetery to be built on the circuit, it would seriously endanger the future of the event.

"During the Ulster Grand Prix the public roads are closed for three days, including the Quarterland Road, which is the only access point into the planned cemetery.

"It is customary in this country for burials to happen within three or four days of a death, and for daily access to be afforded to those who wish to visit graves. We just do not see how we could run this event in harmony with the daily business of a cemetery of this size and scale.

"I would like to reiterate that we feel that the applicant's suggestion that they would close the cemetery on the days of racing is unpractical and unsustainable.

"Furthermore, I believe that planning has been granted for a cemetery and crematorium outside Moira with potential for expansion, also in the L&C area which is more centrally located and served by an excellent road network. When this comes to fruition any argument about the need for a cemetery in Dundrod would be entirely negated."

(CD)