Opposition To Delamont Viking Village Mounts

“There are wider issues such as  the viability of the project and the cost to rate-payers should the project fail. Also, there has been some secrecy surrounding a business plan put forward by  the Magnus Viking Association (MVA), the commercial backers of the proposed development. It is on environmental grounds that Lecale Conservation most strongly objects. We would not be objecting if the MVA were to accept one of the alternative sites they have been offered within Delamont Park. These sites would not impact on the integrity of Strangford Lough.” [caption id="attachment_27101" align="alignleft" width="400" caption="Members of Lecale Conservation in Delamont Park look over the proposed area of development for a Viking village. The development area is behind the people in the foreground."][/caption] Magnus Barelegs Vikings, however, argue that given that some of the information is of a commercially sensitive nature, it should not go into the public domain. “Lecale Conservation is currently appealing a decision by Down District Council not to release the business plan for the proposed development,” added John Peacocke. “Important information concerning the number of visitors and the costs should be fully available to the public at large who will be presumably required to support the project though their rates if it gets into difficulty”. “We call on councillors to review this situation, and go back to the original council position of only supporting this application if it is in the area of Delamont Park originally recommended by management with access to mains sewerage, power and water and away from sensitive shore-line areas. “There are therefore several clear reasons for calling on the Council not to grant a 25 year lease to Strangford Lough’s shores. Firstly, there is fear that  noise and disturbance  created by  use of the site  will   drive away  wildlife from the foreshore,  which  is   protected  in UK and EU Law by  Strangford`s  many  environmental  designations. “Secondly, the  proposed  reed bed  sewerage  system may prove inadequate in certain circumstances, causing pollution to Strangford Lough.  So far, the project  has not  obtained  Discharge Consent from the Northern Ireland Environmnet Agency. Also, there is a  lack  of  transparency  in respect  of   information about  MVA`s  business plans ,  the sources  of the considerable  funding involved,  and  future  prospects  of  change of use  of what  is  potentially  an extremely valuable  seaside  development  site.  When the plans were first put forward, at a public meeting  in the Saint  Patrick`s Centre, many Councillors, businessmen and  local people  declared then that  the  loughside  site would  be an unacceptable  option. “There will also be a loss of  amenity   to Delamont Park users,  in respect  of  obstruction  to established rights- of-way. “And there is a presumption  that  extra  charges  may be levied  upon visitors.” The potentially large tourist business proposed by the Magnus Vikings Association has to run the gauntlet of the full chamber of Down District Council this coming Monday evening (22nd August). It is understood that if full planning permission is granted by Down District Council, Lecale Conservation may activate options to challenge this decision under EU law. The site proposed by the MVA development is a RAMSAR site, and has other environmental designations such as Area of  Outstanding Natural Beauty, Special Area of Conservation and it is also adjacent to the Marine Nature Reserve. Breaches of EU law may carry heavy penalties for the agencies involved and possibly even for the decision-makers themselves. Across Ireland there have been a number of historical re-enactment Viking groups emerging and these groups are often part of a European-wide movement following the huge interest in Viking history and culture. The MVA believe that this Viking village will add to the local tourist economy, and will provide a useful educationa platform for school children who can experience first hand the living history  of the Vikings who invaded Ireland a thousand years ago. The Viking village proposal has already been supported by the Northern Ireland Tourist Board and has been screened by the Planning Service. Down News will be reporting from the Council meeting on August 22nd.]]>