BACKERS of a public sector Giant's Causeway visitors' centre said yesterday they were "mystified" by the proposal's sudden demise.
The National Trust and the Causeway Coast and Glen Heritage Trust said they were at a complete loss over the decision by Enterprise Minister Nigel Dodds to scrap “advanced” plans for the proposed complex at the tourist attraction.
Mr Dodds made hi
s announcement on Monday, the same day his party colleague and Environment Minister Arlene Foster announced she was minded to approve a private sector application.
A spokeswoman for the National Trust said: “We had been trying to arrange a meeting since May with the ministers but they would not meet us.
“But it is now clear they were giving their entire consideration to this one private sector application.
“Only a few weeks ago the Department of Enterprise and Industry (DETI) said its proposed application was at an advanced stage so it was clearly about to lodge it with the Department of the Environment.
“But we had concerns that the process was being stalled. We are absolutely shocked by the decision from the Department of the Environment yesterday, which is now minded to approve the private sector application.”
Chairman of the Causeway Coast and Glen Heritage Trust, Dr David Irwin, said the backing for a privately-funded centre was “almost certain to provoke a judicial review”.
“We are mystified by this private proposal at this time.
The full article contains 240 words and appears in News Letter newspaper.
