Dismay as plan is axed
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 his 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. Our proposal with DETI had gone so far, it was nearly complete.”
He said an international competition run by DETI to take in design ideas for the visitor centre had been a top class marketing project in its own right and had brought in submissions from architects and designers from “literally all over the world”.
“But now it has all been shelved and we are going back nearly to stage one.”
A DETI spokeswoman last night said it had become involved at the request of stakeholders who could not reach agreement, and had scrapped its proposal because the Environment Minister said she was “minded to approve” the private sector application.
Speaking to the News Letter last night, Ms Foster said she was unable to comment on claims that her Planning Service had given her a recommendation to refuse planning permission for the private application.
She said: “The legal process is not yet finished so documents relating to opinions [to approve or refuse] the application cannot be released.”
A Planning Service spokesman added: “It is normal practice not to discuss or disclose the content of a report by Planning Service officials at this critical stage in the processing of an application, particularly in circumstances where the minister has asked for further information and advice from officials before coming to a formal decision.”
Mr Dodds said on Monday it would not be a “prudent” use of taxpayers’ money to proceed further in the circumstances, given Ms Foster’s position on the private sector planning application.
“The DETI/NITB project would cost in excess of 21 million,” he added.
Moyle District Council is not commenting further on the matter until after a special meeting on Friday.
It is unclear at present whether or not the private sector application will attract public funding.
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Weather for Belfast
Monday 28 May 2012
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Temperature: 12 C to 24 C
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