Archive for the 'Killyleagh' Category

Dog poo in Killyleagh



Dog poo in Killyleagh, originally uploaded by downgreenparty.

Green Party Councillor Cadogan Enright has condemned the tiny minority of dog owners in Killyleagh who allow their dogs to, on a daily basis, foul neighbours and residents gardens at Well Lane and Church Lane.

Local Resident Myrtle Mann said, “A small number of local dog owners allow their animals to foul our green spaces at the same time everyday, you can set your watch by them, 9am and 10.30am every day.”

Myrtles husband, community activist Mike Mann said, “there are also two cars which park at the end of the lane, let their dogs out to foul and then drive off.”

Green Party Councillor Cadogan Enright said, “local residents keep these cottages beautifully in order. It is a shame that some people bring their dogs here, often daily, and disrespect the efforts of the local community to keep green spaces clean. I have formally requested the dog wardens to keep a special eye on this area and to make prosecutions when culprits are caught.”

FIVE DEGREES OF ENVIRONMENTAL & WILDLIFE PROTECTION… YET PLANNING SERVICE GIVES DEVELOPMENT GO-AHEAD

Cllr Cadogan EnrightDOWN Green Party Cllr Cadogan Enright has expressed his grave concern that a development in an area that has five degrees of environmental protection designations has been given approval by the Planning Service. He pointed out that a perfectly acceptable site existed in the Delamont farm complex only a few hundred meters away from the Wildlife reserve being sought by the Developers. He questioned the motives of the developers in rejecting a site where good services already exit..

Cadogan Enright said “The proposed Viking Village Development at Delamont would be built on an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB), a Ramsar Site listed under the RAMSAR Convention for the Protection of Wetlands, a Special Area of Conservation (SAC), a Special Protection Area (SPA) and an Area of Special Scientific Interest (ASSI).”

Cllr Enright said, “I cannot understand how an area that is seemingly untouchable according to environmental protection and wildlife designations can be built on according to the Planning Service. The decision to approve this development completely disregards all the hard work that went into getting this beautiful landscape the legal protection needed in order to maintain this area for future generations.”

Cllr Enright continued, “This development also fails the key elements of the Planning Strategy for Rural Northern Ireland (PSRNI) which states that in all situations its policy will be to protect important assets for the tourist industry, including scenic routes, and to prevent their damage or destruction for short term gain or exploitation. The visual impact of the Viking Village and its compound would be highly intrusive to the landscape viewed from the sea, and from the very popular public walk around Gibbs Island.”

“Most startling of all is that Councillors in Down District Council would ever consider handing over such a precious piece of local government property. Given the fiduciary responsibilities encumbant on local councillors for the proper use of public property I cannot see how councillors could vote in favour of such an application. The general public using Delamont park would never understand why an additional car park, sewerage system and entrance gate is necessary, why existing facilities cannot be shared and why we have to build on the Wildlife reserve that so many people come to Delamont to visit,” concluded Cllr Enright.

Press Cuttings: Viking Village is given go-ahead, Viking proposal is not ready for view

GREEN PARTY CRITICISE POLICE RESPONSE TO ENVIRONMENTAL CRIMES IN DOWN DISTRICT

Photograph shows Green Party Councillor Cadogan Enright (r) with local environmentalists Mike Mann (c) and Seamus McKendry (l) overlooking the site of gorse removal.

The Green Party has criticised the Police Service for not taking seriously its role in tackling environmental crime in the district.

The accusation has come in the light of a recent case undertaken by the PSNI in which they refused to prosecute for the bulldozing of large amounts of gorse bush during the nesting season in which it is illegal to remove gorse.

Unlike Britain gorse bush is not protected all year round in Northern Ireland, however during the nesting season between 1st March to 31st August they are protected under the Wildlife Order (NI) 1985 and it is therefore illegal to remove them.

Cllr Enright said, “I have personally made many complaints on issues like poisoning of seals and have been present when local environmentalists have put in complaints about badger baiting and nothing has been done. Environmentalists locally are now seeking meetings with the new Police Commander and the Down District Policing Partnership to question why environmental crimes are not being taken seriously,”

Gorse Bush

The latest incident of gorse removal took place near Killyleagh and local environmentalists alerted the PSNI of the crime. On visiting the site the PSNI declared there was not sufficient evidence to prosecute and this decision was made even though the gorse was removed on the land and subsequently piled up at another corner of the land.

Cllr Enright said, “In this latest case the gorse removed was left piled up on the land and I cannot see how the PSNI feels there is insufficient evidence to prosecute. It is for this reason that I do not feel they are taking their role in protecting the environment seriously.”

Cllr Enright is an independent member of the Down District Policing Partnership and has arranged for local environmentalists to ask questions, at a meeting of the Policing Partnership in September, as to why environmental crime is not being taken seriously in the Down District area.

Press Cuttings: Green Party wants PSNI to get tougher

GREENS OPPOSE MOSQUITO ALARMS

Down District Cllr Cadogan Enright in Killyleagh with locals Barbara Haig (l), Michael Mann (c) and former teacher in Killyleagh Rosalind Radcliffe (r) near St. Mary’s Star of the Sea Chapel on Irish Street Killyleagh who are campaigning against Mosquito Alarms.

DOWN District Green Party Councillor Cadogan Enright has confirmed with Council Officials that no Mosquito Alarms have been installed in any council property in Killyleagh, nor are there any plans to do so.

The Mosquito Alarm is a device, which emits a high-pitched noise in an attempt to ward of anti social youths.

Cllr Cadogan Enright said, “These alarms will inevitably affect pregnant mothers and the parents of toddlers leaving the council open to legal action.”

Cllr Enright has pointed out that some other local councillors have been campaigning for Mosquito Alarms to counteract the small minority of teenagers in Killyleagh engaged in anti social activities.

Cllr Enright said, “In my own experience my neighbours and I have been subject to anti social behaviour but we have worked this out with close involvement with community police officers.”

“The vast majority of young people in the Down District area are a credit to themselves and their families and we have no right to drive them off the streets. The irrational fear of young people is called ‘Ephebiphobia’ and I condemn any attempt to demonise any minority. This is a human rights issue and I have contacted the Human Rights Commissioner Monica McWilliams on this issue.”

“These Mosquito alarms have been banned in Scotland and councils in England are now attempting to ban them as well. Kent County Council already banned them last year and Devon will soon ban them as well. The Minister for Justice in the Republic of Ireland has referred these devices to the Gardai under Section 2 of the Non Fatal Offences Against the Person Act 1997 with a view to prosecution for assault.”

“These facts should be sufficient for us to realise that other methods need to be implemented in order to address anti-social behaviour without discriminating or assaulting every young person and child in the area.”

Cllr Enright also pointed out, “Killyleagh is in a unique position in Northern Ireland by having six bat species. I am concerned that the Mosquito Alarms will be very disruptive to bats using high frequency sounds to navigate and find their insect prey. These alarms will not only have detrimental effects to children but also to the important wildlife in Killyleagh.”

Press Cuttings: Killyleagh backlash against teen deterrent

GREEN PARTY DISCUSS NEW INTEGRATED COLLEGE FOR MID-DOWN

killyleaghOEC, originally uploaded by downgreenparty.

The Down District Green Party have been discussing the site for the new Blackwater Integrated College, looking at current proposals and alternative sites.

The Blackwater Integrated College is a proposed new Grant Maintained Integrated College, bringing together the existing Down Academy Controlled Integrated High School and Rowallane Integrated College. Blackwater IC will be a new, all-ability, co-educational College founded on the principles of integrated Education. It is proposed to open in September 2008.

Currently, the College is planned for the Mid-Down area, with a possible site in Crossgar. However, the Green Party have been discussing possible alternatives to this site which will make use of available brown-field sites and offer access for pupils in the mid-Down area.

Outgoing Green Party Councillor, Bill Corry, is pictured here with incoming Councillor at the site of the SEELB Outdoor Education Centre in Killyleagh, which would offer an alternative site for the school.

Currently, Killyleagh does not have a secondary school and the proximity to the sea and the outdoor centre would allow for easy access to activities for pupils. This is one of several sites being discussed by the Down District Green Party.

Press Cuttings:Blackwater Integrated College