From the pages of the Down Recorder, July 5, 1995

From the pages of the Down Recorder, July 5, 1995

2 July 2025

NEWCASTLE – Hopes are rising that major private investment could be on the way for Newcastle as part of the town’s £12m tourism strategy.

Three groups are understood to be closely examining Down Council’s blueprint for the economic regeneration of the town with a view to developing major schemes in the heart of the town.

Two of the groups are believed to be interested in the development of Newcastle Centre, while the third is looking at the possibility of developing an entertainment centre in Castle Park, possibly linked to a two, or three-storey car park.

News of the private interest was revealed by Down Council’s Director  of Tourism and Economic Development, Mr Bryan Coburn, who said he was quietly hopeful of future investment.

“Private investment is vital if the tourism strategy for the town is to be successful and I would be hopeful  that the interest being shown by these groups would be translated into firm commitments,” he said.

However, a war of words has broken out between Mr Coburn and representatives of the Newcastle Citizens’ Campaign over a questionnaire which is currently being circulated to every household.

The questionnaire, drawn up by the Citizens’ Campaign, is seeking responses to the council’s £12m tourism strategy for the town which contains a number of radical proposals aimed at rejuvenating Newcastle as a tourist resort. 

However, Mr Coburn has claimed the questionnaire is misleading the public on the council’s plans for Donard Park, Newcastle Centre and the redevelopment of Castle Park.

DOWNPATRICK – Senior police chiefs have this week confirmed that the security cage outside Downpatrick’s RUC base at Irish Street is to be removed.

News of the removal of the rocket caging was exclusively revealed in the Recorder three weeks ago and work to dismantle the metal armoury is expected to commence within a matter of weeks.

It is understood the plan has been on the cards for some months, but local police chiefs remained  tight-lipped until a formal statement was issued on Monday through the RUC’s press office.

A spokesman said no exact timing can be given, but police will be consulting with the statutory bodies to ensure that the necessary work is co-ordinated and any traffic disruption is kept to an absolute minimum.

The move is being viewed as logical, given the present relaxed security situation in the way of the process and has been welcomed by Down Council chairman, Mr John Doris and South Down MP, Mr Eddie McGrady.

Mr Doris said he is pleased the cage will be removed because it will bring normality back in Irish Street and is looking forward to the day when the blast wall outside the base will also be removed.

Meanwhile, Mr McGrady said news of the cage’s removal is most welcome and an indication that the chairman and Police Authority representatives listen carefully to the information, advice and exhortations made to them about the armoury.

KILLARD – The Department of the Environment has declared the Killard area a region of special scientific interest. 

The area includes Killard Upper, Killard Lower and Ballyhornan and anyone with an interest in it has received written notification of the DoD’s plans, which will be on display in Rathkeltair House.

KILLYLEAGH – The extent of the town’s marina plan is expected to be unveiled in September, it emerged during last week’s launch.

The multi-million pound community-based waterfront development project for the harbour is set to create around 100 jobs and the Millennium Commission is expected to give its backing to the project in the not too distant future.

The Commission says the scheme has “merit” and when it receives a copy of the draft feasibility study to consider, an early announcement, on grant aid is anticipated.

Meanwhile, plans for the first major yacht haven on Strangford Lough have been included in the ambitious scheme which will feature a number of developments owned and run on behalf of the local community. 

It is believed that more than 100 direct and indirect jobs would be created with a significant additional visitor spend in shops in the town, and development of the tourism accommodation sector is viewing as a kay ingredient in the scheme. 

Everyone in Killyleagh will have an opportunity to have an input when the draft plans are put on public display in the town’s library and a series of workshop sessions are likely to be held.

STRANGFORD –  A leading conservation group has warned that protective legislation introduced for Strangford Lough may not go far enough.

The Royal Society for the Protection of Birds says the lough’s designation as a Marine Nature Reserve does nothing to protect it from the effects of damaging fishing activities.

Although the RSPB has welcomed the MNR as a recognition of the lough’s outstanding importance, it warns that the designation will still allow damaging dredging trawling to take place.

The society warns that if the government does not control these activities, it will be contravening EU laws. 

BALLYNAHINCH – The recent heatwave has caused major problems at a local river, officials with the Fishery Conservancy Board have confirmed.

The high temperatures reduced the flow of many rivers to a trickle, including Ballynahinch River where game fish died because of the lack of oxygen.

The Board has also warned that despite the lull in the heat, the water temperature is at the upper reaches of tolerance for fish.

It has also warned that any farmyard, industrial or sewage pollution, no matter how slight, will inevitably cause major fish kills.

The Board is already investigating fish kills at the local river and a number of others across the Province. 

RAFFREY – Raffrey’s Dominic McGreevy is a British table tennis champion at the age of 13.

Spin king Dominic clinched the U-14 crown at the British Schools Championships in the Isle of Man at the weekend. 

He won the title with thrilling 15-21, 24-22, 21-16 victory over English top seed Andrew Baggaley in the final after beating Dubliner Alan Monks in the semi-final.

Dominic’s sister, Michelle, almost made it a family double. As Dominic was winning his final, she was on a nearby table bidding to take the U-16 title.

Unfortunately, she went down in straight sets to Welsh girl Bethan Daunton, who had accounted for Crossgar’s Andrew Glover in an earlier round.

Another local taking part in the championships was Leanne Miskelly, from Darragh Cross, who gave a gallant performance in the U-14 event and helped the Irish girls to third place behind England and Wales in the team competition.

KILLINCHY – A Kiilinchy man, concerned for the environment, has started his own waste collection business. 

Andrew Gill got the idea to collect waste paper when he noticed how much was accumulating at his home and two months ago he started knocking on doors to gauge the reaction of people in the Killinchy area.

More than 90 per cent said they are prepared to leave out their waste paper for Andrew to collect and he believes more and more people are becoming environmentally friendly.

He has already distributed a number of fly-sheets and collects the paper on the last working day of each month.