Causeway plans unveiled
Friday, 20 June 2008
Roisin Heneghan's vision for the Giant's Causeway visitor centre.
THE National Trust has taken a major step towards replacing visitor facilities at the Giant's Causeway, eight years after the original buildings were destroyed by fire.
In the wake of delays over car parking provision, a failed private sector application and a political storm which ended in the resignation of a minister, the charity this week finally lodged its own proposal.
Fresh from Planning Service Headquarters in Belfast and still clutching her receipt, the Trust's Northern Ireland Director, Hillary McGrady, told a press conference that a 'significant milestone' had been reached.
“We are confident and determined to deliver visitor facilities which will enhance tourism and benefit the local area and indeed everyone in Northern Ireland," she said.
Last year, with the project still in the hands of the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Investment, the government announced it was considering a rival private sector bid proposed by local property developer Seymour Sweeney.
The ensuing row, fuelled by reports of Ian Paisely Jnr's lobbying on the developer's behalf, ended in January when Environment Minister Arlene Foster decided to refuse Mr Sweeney's application.
