Planning permission for a proposed 96-acre super cemetery on the Ulster Grand Prix Circuit has been unanimously rejected.
Lisburn and Castlereagh City Council Planning Committee rejected the plans following a public outcry from race fans.
Dundrod and District Motorcycle Club welcomed the committee's decision.
Des Stewart, Chairman of the Ulster Grand Prix Supporters Club, said: "More than 3,000 objection letters to the plans were handed over to Lisburn and Castlereagh City Council in 2016, signed by The Ulster Grand Prix Supporters Club, the Dundrod & District Motorcycle Club, promoters of the Grand Prix and the vast majority of local residents, who were united in their opposition to the planned cemetery site on Quarterland Road, Dundrod.
"Race fans far and wide felt so strongly about the impact these plans could have on this international event that they launched a 'Don't Bury the UGP' petition, which has been supported by motorcycle fans around the world."
The Ulster Grand Prix is one of the biggest annual outdoor events in Northern Ireland, attracting tens of thousands of visitors from across the world. The economic impact is significant; spectator spend alone generates an estimated £2.5 million every year, and there are more than 10,000 commercial bed nights.
"The sheer volume of objections to the unpopular planning application and the packed gallery at today's hearing, demonstrates the support and important social, cultural and economic impact the Ulster Grand Prix has in the area and to Northern Ireland tourism," Mr Stewart added.
The Council Planning Committee concluded that the super cemetery would limit economic benefits.
Apart from the potential negative impact the proposed cemetery might have on the Ulster Grand Prix, the application was also rejected on the basis that the nature, scale and lifespan of the proposed development is considered excessive and unacceptable.
The consultation process did not secure support from surrounding councils and it was not demonstrated that the additional burial capacity is required to meet the needs of the council area
Lending his support Alderman James Tinsley, Lisburn & Castlereagh City Council said: "Dundrod sits within my constituency, I am in total agreement with local residents and Dundrod & District Motorcycle Club that this plan is not viable.
"From day one local residents told the applicant in no uncertain terms that the proposal was not acceptable to them, due to the unsuitability of the site, road infrastructure, the area's propensity for inclement weather and the harm it would cause to the local area and community.
"A super cemetery in this area is not compatible locally with farming, it would destroy the character of the local Dundrod village and since the application has gone in we've had two fatalities on the roads here, which are usually the first to be closed during snowfall in the winter months."
Noel Johnston, UGP Clerk of the Course added: "We are pleased with the unanimous decision taken today by The Council Planning Committee to reject the cemetery in favour of the planning officers' recommendation for refusal.
"I'd like to thank all of our stakeholders including the race fans and local residents who worked very hard to achieve this positive outcome for everyone but especially the Ulster Grand Prix."
(CM/MH)
Time and date
CONSTRUCTION DIRECTORY
Construction News
02/10/2018
Plans For Dundrod Super Cemetery Rejected Following Public Outcry
Latest Construction News
20/11/2024
MDE has been awarded the electrical services contract for the Clondalkin School Development Project in Dublin. Working alongside Cunningham Contracts Ltd., the company will serve as the specialist electrical contractor for the construction of new facilities for Gaelscoil na Camóige, Gaelscoil ...
20/11/2024
In celebration of European Week for Waste Reduction, the Northern Ireland Resources Network (NIRN) has launched an environmental education programme to promote zero-waste principles among young people. Three schools from the ABC Borough—St Francis Primary School in Lurgan, St Patrick's Primary ...
20/11/2024
Work has begun at hospital sites across Northern Ireland as part of preparations to eliminate car parking charges by May 2026. Health and Social Care Trusts are installing the necessary infrastructure for a new traffic management system, following the passing of the Hospital Parking Charges Act by ...
20/11/2024
Fine Gael has accused Sinn Féin of abandoning its commitment to protect consumers from rising energy costs, claiming that the party's policies could lead to increased costs for 2.1 million customers. The criticism comes after Sinn Féin's alternative budget last month proposed retaining the ...
20/11/2024
SDLP Agriculture, Environment, and Rural Affairs Spokesperson Patsy McGlone has urged Minister Andrew Muir to take decisive action to protect the environment, rather than launching additional reviews. The comments came after Minister Muir announced a review into environmental governance during an ...
20/11/2024
Alliance Strangford MLAs Kellie Armstrong and Nick Mathison, along with Alliance East Antrim MLA Danny Donnelly, recently visited the tidal research experiment at Queen's University Marine Laboratory (QML) in Strangford. The project, funded by the Centre for Advanced Sustainable Energy (CASE), is ...
19/11/2024
Phoenix Energy has been awarded an international standards accreditation from the British Standards Institution (BSI) in recognition of its inclusive service approach for customers in vulnerable situations. The certification highlights Phoenix Energy's commitment to providing fair, flexible, and ...
19/11/2024
Seating Matters is investing £3.7 million to enhance and improve its manufacturing facilities in Limavady and L'Derry. The company is aiming to support its bold strategy to triple revenue by 2027. Making the announcement while visiting the company's Limavady site Economy Minister Conor Murphy ...
19/11/2024
SDLP Infrastructure Spokesperson Mark H Durkan has urged the Minister and the Executive to take immediate action to address problems within Northern Ireland Water. Mr Durkan warned that the current state of the wastewater system is creating significant delays for infrastructure projects across ...
19/11/2024
Galway City Council will hold a public information evening on affordable housing on Monday, November 25, 2024, from 4pm to 8pm at the Connacht Hotel, Old Dublin Road, Galway. The event will provide an opportunity for the public to learn about how affordable housing operates. Council staff will be ...