R acebosses delighted as cemetery plan is rejected

RACE bosses have welcomed a decision to stop plans for a super cemetery beside the Ulster Grand Prix circuit in Dundrod.

Dundrod and District Motorcycle Club hailed the unanimous decision by Lisburn and Castlereagh City Council’s planning committee to refuse permission for Loughview Park Cemetery on Quarterland Road.

Des Stewart, chairman of the Ulster Grand Prix Supporters Club, said a groundswell of opposition to the 96-acre site had united fans, race promoters and residents, and prompted more than 3,000 letters of objection, which were handed to the council in 2016.

“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,” he said.

It was estimated that the lifespan of the cemetery would be 75 years and would require an initial investment of £10m. The proposed site would also include funeral facilities, catering, parking, woodland walkways and a memorial garden.

But Mr Stewart had warned that the economic impact on the Ulster Grand Prix — which attracts tens of thousands of international visitors and generates millions of pounds to the local economy — would be significant.

The local authority’s planning committee agreed that the economic benefits of the cemetery would be limited following the construction phase, which they considered to be excessive and unacceptable.

Councillor James Tinsley said: “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.”

Noel Johnston, UGP Clerk of the Course, also welcomed the rejection.

However, the company behind the proposal, Carston, expressed its disappointment that “there is apparently no ‘need’” for the cemeteries, and pointed out that pressure is growing on existing burial plots.

“It is well known that there is no available land within the Belfast City Council area for a cemetery mainly due to underlying geological conditions,” a Carston spokesperson said.

“In west Belfast, we understand there are less than 1,000 plots remaining in Milltown cemetery and virtually none elsewhere in that locality.

“Funeral directors have expressed concern about the lack of affordable burial provision. Despite an approval for a cemetery outside Moira recently, the lack of burial space is also a problem within Lisburn City area, with growing pressure on Blaris cemetery.”

The company spokesperson also said it had spent a lot of money seeking planning approval and called on Belfast City Council to intervene in the row if it wants to see “a vital piece of civic infrastructure” become a reality.