Mar
15
Dorrins & Cummeen Strand Conservation Group, Press Release, 12th March 2007
March 15, 2007 | 8 Comments
On Friday 9th March, the Dorrin’s & Cummeen Conservation Group (DCCG) were invited to meet with representatives of Sligo Airport and their consultants. Councillor Higgins, Chairman of the Board of Sligo Airport, billed this meeting as the start of a consultation process between Airport personnel and representatives of the local community.
The meeting started with the expert consultants to the Airport giving presentations on why the extension to the East Side was the only feasible option. It became clear that despite this meeting being a consultation process, the Airport were not in favour of changing their plans despite the opposition voiced in two recent public meetings in Strandhill and over 70 objections to Sligo County Council’s Planning Section. The airport also suggested that it would have to close if it did not extend the runway to the East.
A spokesperson for the Dorrin’s & Cummeen Conservation Group addressed the meeting and asked the Airport Company to withdraw the current application for planning permission. He said this would instill confidence in the consultation process between the Airport and the Strandhill community.
He also stated that the application for planning permission submitted by the Airport was comprehensively flawed. The vast majority of Strandhill residents are deeply concerned about building a runway extension on Dorrin’s Strand with the consequent damage to the ecology, wildlife, heritage, and access to recreational activities. Local residents also have grave concerns for the access road to Coney Island and the massive damage to the local fish farming industries by the proposal to divert the channel from its current course.
In response to the request to withdraw the planning application, Councillor Albert Higgins, Chairman of the Airport Company, stated that such a decision would need to be considered by the airport company and that he would bring this DCCG request to the board.
The DCCG concerns with the inadequacy of the Environmental Impact Statement were supported by the Sligo Co. Co. Planning Department who had written a lengthy letter to the Airport seeking further information on a wide range of issues concerning the application.
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The extension of the runway at Sligo Airport is needed from both a safety and operational perspective.
In order for Sligo to grow in terms of tourism, business, etc this extension is badly needed and will open endless opportunities for the county.
70 objections should not hold this planning application up. 70 people out of an approx population of 50,000 in county Sligo, thats 0.0014% of the total population objecting. Come on now, thats less than 1%.
This is typical of the crap that goes on in Sligo, a few people holding up the future of the whole county. Just look at what happened with Argos wanting to set up in the town also.
Ian T
Ian,
thanks for the comment, the subtext of which is “machine gun any objectors to progress”.
Kevin
A high quality environment is central to our economic performance. It is also central to our health and well being,as the saying goes “your health is your wealth”.I think we have a responsability to future generations who will inherit our already degraded landscape, too leave it as we found it. A runway east will mean irreversible losses in terms of landscape and wildlife. A long term view with an understanding of sustainable development will assist us both in terms of quality environment,life and economics. Strandhill Airport have other options when it comes to extending the runway. The people objected to the eastern extension.
Principle 10 of the Rio Declaration, which was signed by Ireland in 1992 states “Environmental issues are best handled with the participation of all concerned citizens,each individual shall have appropriate access to information concerning the environment that is held by public authorities, including information on activities in their communities, and the opportunity to participate in decision-making processes. States shall facilitate and encourage public awareness and participation by making information widely available.”
Kind regards all, Tina B.
Good Man Ian,
Why don’t we level Carrowmore and put a dump on that? Oh yea, people saw the craziness of the idea and objected, the plan was reversed and we don’t have a landfill sitting on top of a globally historical site which contributes significantly to the tourism industry.
I take it as a citizen of Ireland, you believe in democracy, and as concerned citizens (even less than 1%) we have a right to use the planning procedures to voice legitimate concerns which contravene World protection status’ on the area effected.
Ian, making comments like “This is typical of the crap that goes on in Sligo” is widely out of context when you see the ’shotgun’ development thrown up willy-nilly throughout this country. I don’t know how long you have lived in Sligo or Strandhill but the attitude of ‘leave it to someone else to object’ has been challenged and replaced with ‘Enough is Enough!’ when you take into account the potential catastrophic damage to the environment, the scenery (both of which we all enjoy and trade off) and people’s rights to swim in a safe and clean amenity – the Sea! (Walkers Lodge).
The business viability of the airport’s expansion like its Environmentel Impact Study is something which needs to be scrutinised before we go to a point we can not return from. On your last point, I hope you don’t think the issues with Argos (which, I supported) is comparable with YOUR/OUR environment and if you do, this country has a lot to fear from its citizens.
Peace.
Aidan
Tina and Aidan,
While i agree to some extent with your points, i don’t see how extending the runway by 750m is going to change the landscape all that much. The “economics” are that sligo needs this extension to grow the number of businesses and tourists in the county.
The Dorrin and Cummeen Strand Conservation Group have a cheek asking the county council and the airport board to consider moving the airport itself to a new site. Come on guys you’re running out of ideas. The extension needs to go ahead and now. Are you really concerned about the environment or is there some self interest here????
Ian T
Hi Ian,
Why not re-post your comment to the groups website at http://www.dorrins.com – that way, everyone can see your views?
Kevin
Posted it Kevin:
Another point, the 100s of houses/apartments etc being built in Strandhill is causing a lot more damage to the environment than the extension to the runway. Why have you guys said nothing about this. If you’re so concerned about Strandhill why haven’t you stopped all development in the area!!!!!!!!
I’m interest to hear your reply…