By Julie Waters
ANGRY Donaghadee residents have voiced strong opposition to plans for a major housing development in a historic woodland area saying ‘enough is enough’.
Residents have voiced fears that not only would the woodland be destroyed and wildlife displaced but local infrastructure which is already at ‘breaking point’ would be put under unprecedented pressure.
Former Ards and North Down Mayor, Mark Brooks, has now thrown his weight behind the residents’ campaign and over 800 people have signed a petition against the development
Residents ‘horrified’ at plans to destroy historic woodland proposals.
The plans are for up to 135 homes beside the current High Trees Development, and on land classified as a Local Landscape Policy Area (LLPA), is beside the current High Trees development.
An LLPA is a planning designation used to protect landscapes that have particular local importance because of their scenic quality, natural features, historic setting or contribution to the character of a settlement.
At this stage a planning application has not been lodged, but council planners received a Proposal of Application Notice (PAN) from the developer, Strand Homes, advising they intended to engage with the community about their proposal.
However, residents have criticised the public consultation event held in Donaghadee Community Centre at the end of May, saying they were given just 24 hours notice that it was taking place.
Local resident Linda Carson explained many people were ‘filled with horror’ when they saw the plans.
“Residents are united in their opposition,” she said. “I don’t think I heard anybody in favour of the development (at the consultation meeting).
“Generally the feeling is ‘enough is enough’. We are up to the 1,000 new houses quota that was set out in the area plan and this is over and above that. They want to build on a lovely green field area with biodiversity and go in and clear woods and decimate them.”
Mrs Carson said, “There is a heron, woodpeckers and a cuckoo. It is a biodiverse little haven. All the residents are against it (the proposal). They are just incensed.”
She highlighted the historic nature of the area that she believed led to its designation as an LLPA.
“There is ancient woodland in this area and a bridge that dates back to the 16th century. It is just amazing, it is part of the original farm and was used to bring carts across it.
“It is a very historical area, part of the reason it was designated is because of the woodland, it is also an ancient raith [also known as a draining marshland].”
Mrs Carson also expressed concerns that the local sewage and waste water infrastructure was currently at ‘breaking point’ and would not be able to cope with the additional demands. “We just feel it would be negligent to approve 135 houses,” she added.
Alderman Mark Brooks is supporting the residents in their fight against the development.
“The people in Donaghadee are horrified by what could happen,” he said. “These lands are a protected area and as much as we all need housing, this is completely wrong. There is a wood filled with wildlife and people are very concerned.”
The Ulster Unionist alderman said residents only received 24 hours notice that a public consultation meeting was being held.
“I attended that meeting with many of the residents and the feeling was totally hostile to this development as it would infringe on the local habitat and woodland I have written to the council planners as the area is a protected area,” he said.
Mr Brooks also expressed concerns that the town’s infrastructure could not cope with the additional housing pressure: “I think this raises a lot of issues that Donaghadee just cannot sustain this growth. The infrastructure simply is not there and the uniqueness of the town will be destroyed.”
To sign the petition against the proposed development log on to: https://www.change.org/p/object-to-building-135- houses-at-high-trees-donaghadee
