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28/11/2007
Rival Bid Renews Debate Over Causeway Centre
There's continuing debate over the proposed new visitor centre at the Giant's Causeway this week with news of a serious counter bid to developer Seymour Sweeney's plan.
An official partnership between the National Trust and Moyle Council has been forged which could mean a fresh planning application to replace the council-owned visitor centre, which was damaged in a fire in 2000.
This would be instead of Mr Sweeney's plans for the centre - which seeks to build on nearby land already in his ownership.
The National Trust owns the famous Causeway stones, while Moyle Council owns the existing visitor centre site and car park.
Under the proposed partnership the council's landholding would be leased to the Trust who will lead the scheme's planning.
Controversially, the new partnership no longer wants the Department of Enterprise involved as a co-partner.
Already, representatives from the Council and the Trust have met with Enterprise Minister, Nigel Dodds to outline their new plans.
Madeline Black, Chair of Moyle District Council, said: "We had a really positive meeting with the Minister and his officials.
"Moyle District Council strongly believes that visitor facilities at the Giant's Causeway should remain in public ownership and that income generated should be reinvested."
Hilary McGrady, the National Trust's Director for Northern Ireland, said: " Our goals are the same as those of Minister Dodds. We too want to ensure that new visitor facilities at the Causeway will be of a world-class standard, provide good value to the public purse and are timely.
"We are also committed to ensuring that UNESCO's requirements for the protection of the World Heritage Site are met.
The Trust and Council had initially been part of a long-standing Government-led scheme for the new Causeway centre, but the DUP Minister, Nigel Dodds, put that project on hold in September, after his colleague, Environment Minister, Arlene Foster announced she was "of a mind" to grant planning permission to Mr Sweeney's rival blueprint, which has since been dogged by controversy on foot of alleged close ties to the Ministers Dodds and Fosters' Democratic Unionist party
A final decision on his application has yet to be taken.
(GK/SP/BMcC)
An official partnership between the National Trust and Moyle Council has been forged which could mean a fresh planning application to replace the council-owned visitor centre, which was damaged in a fire in 2000.
This would be instead of Mr Sweeney's plans for the centre - which seeks to build on nearby land already in his ownership.
The National Trust owns the famous Causeway stones, while Moyle Council owns the existing visitor centre site and car park.
Under the proposed partnership the council's landholding would be leased to the Trust who will lead the scheme's planning.
Controversially, the new partnership no longer wants the Department of Enterprise involved as a co-partner.
Already, representatives from the Council and the Trust have met with Enterprise Minister, Nigel Dodds to outline their new plans.
Madeline Black, Chair of Moyle District Council, said: "We had a really positive meeting with the Minister and his officials.
"Moyle District Council strongly believes that visitor facilities at the Giant's Causeway should remain in public ownership and that income generated should be reinvested."
Hilary McGrady, the National Trust's Director for Northern Ireland, said: " Our goals are the same as those of Minister Dodds. We too want to ensure that new visitor facilities at the Causeway will be of a world-class standard, provide good value to the public purse and are timely.
"We are also committed to ensuring that UNESCO's requirements for the protection of the World Heritage Site are met.
The Trust and Council had initially been part of a long-standing Government-led scheme for the new Causeway centre, but the DUP Minister, Nigel Dodds, put that project on hold in September, after his colleague, Environment Minister, Arlene Foster announced she was "of a mind" to grant planning permission to Mr Sweeney's rival blueprint, which has since been dogged by controversy on foot of alleged close ties to the Ministers Dodds and Fosters' Democratic Unionist party
A final decision on his application has yet to be taken.
(GK/SP/BMcC)
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01 May 2008
Causeway Visitor Centre Back On?
New plans for the construction of a replacement Giant's Causeway Visitor Centre are set to be submitted.
Causeway Visitor Centre Back On?
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05 December 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.
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.
03 July 2002
DOE 'disappointed' by lack of Causeway progress
Northern Ireland Environment Minister Dermot Nesbitt has said the inability of groups interested in developing the Giant’s Causeway as a world-class heritage site is a source of frustration and disappointment to him.
DOE 'disappointed' by lack of Causeway progress
Northern Ireland Environment Minister Dermot Nesbitt has said the inability of groups interested in developing the Giant’s Causeway as a world-class heritage site is a source of frustration and disappointment to him.
12 April 2002
Causeway Hospital a sign of Executive’s “commitment to health”
The new Causeway Hospital is a visible sign that health is a major priority for the Northern Ireland Executive, the First Minister David Trimble and Deputy First Minister Mark Durkan, have said.
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The new Causeway Hospital is a visible sign that health is a major priority for the Northern Ireland Executive, the First Minister David Trimble and Deputy First Minister Mark Durkan, have said.
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.
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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.
