By Joe McCann
ARDS and North Down councillors have passed a motion calling for the Commons in Donaghadee to be registered as an environmentally protected site following outrage when someone used heavy machinery to destroy vegetation at the popular site with calls for the individual involved to be prosecuted.
Residents were outraged in January after a member of the public, who is known locally, hired a JCB digger to destroy vegetation at the site of the town’s second commons, known locally as the ‘rough commons’.
Bangor East and Donaghadee representatives councillor James Cochrane and alderman Mark Brooks brought forward the motion at the Environment Committee. Mr Cochrane said: “Residents have watched with disbelief and anger as bushes, trees and wild grasses on the commons were cut down and destroyed.
“This was not routine maintenance, not planned environmental management and not work authorised by this council. It was the deliberate clearing of natural vegetation on public land, an act that has left local people shocked and deeply concerned.
“The area affected is part of what many locals refer to as the second commons, a natural space above the shoreline that has over time developed into a rich patch of biodiversity with wild hedges, grasses and trees evolving naturally.”
He continued: “For years, it was a space that was used by many residents for dog walking and enjoying the fresh seaside air and this is why the reaction from the community has been so strong regarding this. Local residents raised the alarm when heavy equipment appeared and began clearing the vegetation.
Mr Cochrane said the much loved site was one of the few remaining places in Northern Ireland wherein
vegetation had developed naturally over many years. He added: “It has existed in its natural state for generations and it has been noted locally that the land has effectively been left to grow and evolve for many, many years.
“So when that landscape is suddenly altered or destroyed, the loss is not only visual, it is ecological. That’s why this motion proposes that the council write to the Minister for Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA) and ask that the Commons be considered as an area of special scientific interest, or any other appropriate form of protected status.”
Alderman Mark Brooks said everyone in the village knew the identity of the individual behind the destruction and the details have been passed onto the PSNI who are investigating. He said as well as protecting the site, residents wanted to see the individual punished for destroying the site.
He said: “The people… know exactly who did this. I know exactly who did this. We’ve reported it to the PSNI, we’ve reported it to NIEA, we’ve reported it to the council, and we’re letting them take the appropriate action, but this has to be punished.
“A person who wanted a view, hired a JCB digger, went onto the Commons and removed lots of bushes and trees. I mean, it’s just actually quite unbelievable what has happened and the local community are rightfully outraged. They want to see action and they want to see punishment and I do realise that in the longer term, what we’re asking for is correct.”
He continued, stating: “It’s simply a crime and it has to be, action has to be taken and we’re asking for a letter to go to the Minister. He’s also a local MLA, and he has been supportive.”
Supporting the motion councillor Joe Boyle said: “It’s a long time since I’ve been as disgusted in this council to hear what’s going on in Donaghadee at this point in time… nothing surprises me anymore in society. It just doesn’t surprise me anymore, but it’s such an awful thing to happen, and it could be around this borough any week. All for the sake of
somebody [who] feels they’re entitled to a view and they’re entitled to rip away everything that’s on other property that doesn’t belong to them.”
Councillor Nigel Edmund stated: “I’ve followed this on Facebook. I think half the country has followed it on Facebook. The reaction to it is nearly one of despair. It’s basically vandalism and if it’s vandalism, it’s a crime. It’s punishable. So, I certainly thank you for bringing it, and I hope you get the result you fully deserve.”
Councillor Tom Brady said: “Northern Ireland is reportedly the 12th worst country in the world for biodiversity loss. So, it’s a really, really serious issue, made even more serious by that and it’s long overdue that we start taking it more seriously. I would fully support criminal proceedings for this as a matter of principle, so that
people know that this kind of behaviour is unacceptable. I think allowing this to go unpunished would set a really dangerous precedent.”
Councillor Alex Harbinson echoed similar sentiments and asked the director if civil proceedings might also be taken aside from criminal proceedings. Council officers replied that the matter is currently being investigated by the PSNI and they are awaiting the outcome but the council would be looking at numerous options once the investigation has finished.
Mr Cathcart said previous results in Belfast produced good results and hoped if the scheme was communicated well, the public would take up using the new bins more often and there would be more behavioural changes towards recycling on the go.
He added that he didn’t believe the council would be replacing all of its bins at this moment in time and including them in city and town centres would be some of the last places to receive them but hoped the trial would produce positive results.
In a statement on the pilot scheme, Strangford MP Jim Shannon said: “It is wonderful to hear of this £45,000 trial initiative by council to erect recycling litter bins at certain spots across the borough.
“Although this is a pilot scheme, should it be successful it would be wonderful if this could progress into something permanent. Recycling is so important for the borough and there is a strong desire from residents who want to do their bit to support the programme.”
