DIGGER AND WORKMEN AT FLOGGED SANCTUARY

Residents call police over concerns about wildlife at Co Down reservoir

A WORK crew and a digger moved into a nature reserve yesterday, a week after it was revealed that NI Water sold the £1million site for £67,500.

Locals who have been fighting for public access to be reinstated at Portavoe Reservoir, Co Down, feared trees were to be felled and numerous reports were made to the PSNI.

One concerned resident told the Mirror: “We were worried that ground and tree nesting birds and other wildlife were in danger and we alerted the police to our concerns.

“The lorries were seen going into the area on Friday and we could hear demolition work over the weekend. Many people called the non emergency 101 number and the police did visit the site.”

A pump house once used to move water from the reservoir on the outskirts of Donaghadee was demolished and rubble removed from the site.

One local said: “We are now seeking clarification that all permissions for demolishing this lovely old building were in place and we’re also seeking clarification that proper checks were carried out by qualified agents to establish if the pump house had been a roosting area for bats as we suspect.

Sunday was a washout of worry for local people who’ve looked after Portavoe for many years because now that it has been sold off by Northern Ireland Water, we have no way to access the area and no way to protect or ensure the safety of the wildlife inside the property if it was believed to be at risk.

“The destruction of the pump house is concerning enough, because it was a piece of Northern Ireland heritage. Our concerns now lie with what may be demolished or destroyed next.”

The beautiful reservoir and nature reserve which sits back from the coastal road outside Bangor, was sold for £67,500 despite having an estimated green belt value of more than £1million.

The shock revelation prompted calls for a full inquiry into the sale of Portavoe Reservoir after protracted public battle over the privatisation of the 76 acre site.

The nature reserve was vested to the public 90 years ago who continued to demand legal access to the lake they had looked after for decades.

Alex Easton MLA, said the land could have been used for tourism, public leisure and community activities.

He added: “There was a lot of anxiety about the welfare of wildlife and nesting birds but at this stage we do not believe trees were felled – we will be checking especially as it is nesting season.”