Urgent works Notice For Dundrum Property
THE owner of a property in Dundrum’s Main Street had an Urgent Works Notice served on him to carry out urgent repair work.
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Calls For Restoration Of Castlewellan Arboretum
THIS week there has been a flurry of activity around plans to push forward the redevelopment of the Arboretum at Castlewellan Forest Park .
The arboretum is home to many rare and splendid trees and bushes from around the world and is looke dafter by the Forest Service located in the Park. Speaking after a tour of the arboretum, Forestry Minister Michelle O’Neill has said the restoration of the Arboretum at Castlewellan Forest Park will help enhance visitor numbers to the area.
Over the years, the arboretum and its buildings have fallen into a state of disrepair.
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Plastic Bag Levy To Be Introduced
NEWCASTLE Alliance Councillor Patrick Clarke has welcomed the introduction of a 5p plastic bag levy from April 2013. CouncilIor Clarke stated: "I welcome the news that the plastic bag levy will be introduced by 2013. Alliance has been campaigning for this for a number of years and it is long over due.
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Drumnakelly Dump Is Central In Council Environmental Debate
AS you drive past the Drumnakelly waste dump at Seaforde you could be forgiven for not knowing that it is a major environmentally engineered site. Black bin household and business waste from across Down District which is deemed to be residual waste ie is cannot be recycled, is used as landfill under very regulated conditions and goes to Drumnakelly.
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Recycling Centre Proposal For Cloonagh Road Site
A proposal to relocate the Civic Amenity recycling centre in Cloonagh Road in Downpatrick to the NI Water site next door has been welcomed by Down District Councillor Cadogan Enright. The Downpatrick Councilor said, “This site has much more space and will allow us to enhance our approach to recycling. We are missing opportunities in Down District that other areas have already tackled
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Johnston Condemns Downpatrick Fly Tippers
SINN Féin Councillor Liam Johnston has condemned those responsible for dumping household rubbish in a beauty spot on the outskirts of Downpatrick. Having been contacted by locals who walk along the Old Course Road, which is approximately 500 yards from the Cloonagh Road amenity site, I found a variety of household waste when he went to investigate including “mattresses, chairs, old computer monitors, and other household waste dumped by the side of the road.
Read more:Johnston Condemns Downpatrick Fly Tippers
Spring Has Sprung For 2012
THE Woodland Trust is asking the public to report observations of the effects of the milder winter weather on native trees and flowers across the country. This follows a number of anecdotal reports of flowers blooming and tree buds bursting weeks ahead of schedule.
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Cost of cleaning Down streets amounts to £.75 million each year
By Anne O'Hare
The cost of cleaning up after litter louts in the Down District costs the rate payer around three-quarters of a million pound each year. Since the beginning of the current tax year in April, the Council have collected a phenomenal 800 tonnes of litter and the problem appears to be growing.
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Pollution Continues In Glasswater River At Crossgar
FOLLOWING further complaints about the leakage of an oily substance into the Glasswater River at Crossgar bridge, the NIEA has once again extended its already lengthy investigation to monitor the pollution incident. In the past two years nine pollution incidents relation to oil in the river have been investigated.
John Peacocke, Chairman of Lecale Conservation, an environmental group set up to promote and protect the Lecale environment, said, “I have observed this leak for most of this year. It is quite noticeable at the moment. Oil or a petrol-like liquid is definitely leaking in to the river from close to the new drain that was built recently.
“The surface of the Glasswater is noticeably covered in an oily film and the rainbows are very conspicuous. And you can smell it quite clearly.
McGrath Calls For Action Over Litter Bins In District
COUNCILLOR Colin McGrath has called on Down District Council officials to draw up a plan to deliver more litter bins in the district.
The SDLP’ Councillor said, “At Council we continue to be plagued by the issue of litter strewn across the streets, parks and estates of our District but a quick look around may indicate the issue – the lack of litter bins.
“It is the responsibility of Council to provide litter bins and as such I would expect us to endorse having the bins in every estate and along town roads and streets.
£5.1 Million Road Investment Announced For Down
REGIONAL Development Minister Danny Kennedy has set out Roads Service’s progress on investment totalling £5.1million for maintenance schemes in the Down District this year.
Speaking ahead of this evening’s meeting between Roads Service and Down District Council, the Minister said, “A wide range of improvement and maintenance schemes is underway or already complete in the Down District. This includes completion of a new footway on the Grand Jury Road, Saintfield. This scheme will improve safety for pedestrians at this location.
“The priorities and constraints placed on funding levels by Budget 2010 mean it is likely the programme of local transport and safety measures in 2012/13 and 2013/14 will be under considerable pressure.
“While current indications are that funding for resurfacing and minor improvement works will be very limited next year, I remain committed to delivering these important schemes as resources permit. The autumn round of Council meetings is a timely opportunity for Councils to discuss potential schemes and priorities for incoming and future years,” said Danny Kennedy.
Environment Minister Alex Attwood announced work has begun to preserve the Mound of Down, one of Northern Ireland’s largest monuments.
