Secure future for Cultra Station House within reach

I welcome news that a planning application for the restoration and conservation of Cultra Station House has been made with progress on track.

The disused Railway building has been under the control of Ireland's 'bad bank' NAMA, but could be turned into residential units - with its listed status protected - if the Northern Ireland Environment Agency's Built Heritage specialists give the proposals the go-ahead.

New plans for Cultra Station

Councillor Larry Thompson and I lobbied NAMA via Dominic Hannigan TD and were involved in facilitating the sale to protect the listed site. We are positive about the recent move and wish to highlight the valuable role played by the Holywood Conservation Group in securing the future of the site.
Councillor Larry Thompson said:"Cultra Station House is a historic site in our area and one which must be protected. Since discovering its future was under threat I have worked closely with Councillor Andrew Muir and the Holywood Conservation Group to ensure we don't lose another important piece of our heritage.

I welcome the news a planning application has now been made, which looks set to protect the building's listed status and restore the area to its former glory. I hope The Northern Ireland Environment Agency will be able to work with the applicant to ensure the former character of the building is best upheld, while allowing the new plans to progress.

I must also praise the work of the Holywood Conservation Society. Without their tireless work and campaigning we could not have guaranteed securing a stable future for Cultra Station House. The hours of hard work have been worth it and I want to commend everyone involved."

It is almost a year since the latest condition report on the building was released. At that time it was clear the former station house would need a lot work to restore it to its former glory. While we were aware last August a potential buyer was in talks to progress the site, it was unclear if this would achieve a positive outcome.

I welcome the news a sale is now within reach. Cultra Station House used to be a hub of activity in the area and it is fitting it will once again be of service to local residents.

Planning App References W/2013/0144/F and W/2013/0145/LBC

Muir describes Redburn Park developments potential runaway success

Cllr Muir at Redburn Country Park

With the 5k Trail Run at Crawfordsburn Country Park extremely popular and Redburn Country Park underused but yet offering unique terrain and views I am keen to explore possibilities of a formal marked and measured 5k Trail Run at Redburn Country Park which is located near Belfast off the Old Holywood Road, Holywood.

As a keen amateur athlete and member of North Down Athletic Club the lack of trail runs across Northern Ireland with steep inclines is apparent but yet where these are offered (such as at Glenariff Forest Park) they have proven very popular with hundreds of people turning out on New Year’s Day to complete the exhilarating Race over the Glens in Glenariff. They can also prove useful places for training in preparation for the many road races across Northern Ireland which include significant hills.

After writing to the Minister for the Environment I was delighted to receive a response informing me that my suggestion is under active consideration with Minister Attwood stating “I am confident that it would increase the usage of the Country Park and provide more challenging run than that at Crawfordsburn Country Park”.

Delivery of this marked course could be the gateway to future events such as an annual race whilst also promoting active living and increasing visitor numbers in Holywood area. I look forward to receiving further updates on the project which has already gained lots of interest, further enhancing prospects that it will be a runway success if delivered.

Muir welcomes Kinnegar Sewage pollution progress

 Cllr Muir at polluted Kinnegar Lagoons

Significant engineering works are now planned to resolve the sewage pollution problem at Kinnegar.

NI Water plan to dig a tunnel under the A2 Bangor to Belfast road to divert sewage flows from the Kinnegar Lagoons to the Treatment Works and repair the damage already done which results in an awful odour on a regular basis.

Following exhaustive surveys which involved boat trips and soil samples taken from Kinnegar Lagoons the precise cause has been confirmed as raw sewage being pumped into Kinnegar Lagoons with the residual waste remaining causing malodour during inclement weather or when tide levels are low. Diverting sewage from the into the Treatment Works will cost over £3million and require new pipes and a tunnel under the Bangor to Belfast Road and Railway Line.

In order to minimise any disruption advance planning has now commenced and access to relevant areas is being requested. Once everything is in place work will take 12 to 15 months. I have been assured by NI Water that local residents will be consulted and kept informed on an ongoing basis to address concerns and reduce any inconvenience caused. If all goes to plan a contractor should be ready to start work in August 2013. Once the new set-up is in place the focus will then turn to how to repair the polluted reed beds and ensure the sewage remaining does not continue to damage the environment nor cause any more bad smells.

My relentless campaign to end the Kinnegar sewage pollution problem will not end until the pollution stops, smell eliminated and environment returned to it’s original state. Getting NI Water to acknowledge the problem and commit over £3million to a solution was an important first step. I look forward to seeing real action on the ground later this year. Local residents, businesses, visitors and commuters have suffered enough.

Muir welcomes Town Hall Cycle Rack

Cllr Muir at Town Hall Cycle Rack

I welcome the arrival of a Cycle Rack at Bangor Town Hall after campaigning for its installation for many months. A rack capable of accommodating four bicycles has been installed to facilitate Council workers, visitors and Councillors who choose to travel to the Town Hall via bicycle.

Cycling is a quick, cheap and environmentally friendly way to travel, especially for short distances. Provision of secure separate bicycle parking at the Town Hall is another small step towards a Bicycle friendly Borough. Research proves that good infrastructure facilitates and encourages cycling as a sustainable and active method of transport.

I am very thankful to Council officers for providing this rack with yet more progress on the horizon after securing a cycle rack at Sainsbury’s Bangor and support for exploring a Cycle Hire Scheme in Bangor and Holywood. The wheels seem to be in motion towards a Bicycle friendly Borough.

Let's replace 'not an inch' with giant stride forward

Following article appeared in Belfast Telegraph on Wednesday 27 March 2013

Cllr Muir and Justice Minster David Ford MLA
who matches words with actions along with
Alliance Minister Dr Stephen Farry MLA

Concepts of a shared future and consensus based politics have recently gained prominence with many politicians trying to persuade us of their commitment to these ideals.

Despite their valiant attempts it is however now increasingly apparent that the terms are being used and abused for selfish and strategic party political interest.

A shared future isn't just about a few warm words and appearing at the odd symbolic event but instead it's about a new beginning where everyone is respected, included and accepted.

Unionist leaders claim they are fully behind the idea of creating a shared future, yet in recent months they have adopted a 'them and us' approach and created the tribal Unionist Forum to consider concerns of one community in complete isolation from wider society. The renaming of a play park in Newry after Raymond McCreesh shows that Nationalists do not fully understand how good community relations are fostered either.

These and many other examples prove that actions speak louder than words with the Alliance Party's credibility on the issue of shared society proven, whether via actions taken by Justice Minister David Ford or Employment and Learning Minister Stephen Farry or via the publication of our document "For Everyone", detailing our vision concerning what a shared future should look like.

In our document we highlight the wide range of work that needs to take place to achieve a shared future starting with our education system. Too many young people grow up without knowingly coming into contact with those from a different background. This division continues and is cemented as a result of our segregated education system.

The integrated education sector has successfully shown that when children from all backgrounds learn together these experiences stay with them later in life. Socio-economic and educational benefits associated with Integrated Education combined with the strong demand from parents who want their children to learn and grow up together provides a clear basis for the Education Department to prioritise growth in this sector.

Despite the overwhelming demand for more integrated schools the Education Minister continues to fail in his duty to provide sufficient supply. In 1998 the Good Friday Agreement promised "initiatives to facilitate and encourage integrated education", yet 15 years on there have been very little movement to help this sector. With falling enrolment numbers and school rationalisation on the horizon the time for action is now.

It is not just our education system that we should be looking at to radically transform our society. Issues such as identity, culture, public spaces, parades, housing and how we deal with the past need to be tackled.

This is not to say that shared spaces have to be neutral spaces. Public spaces should be areas where all ideas and identities are celebrated. We want to create a shared community that is safe and welcoming to all sections of the community.

Alliance firmly believe that a shared future isn't built upon the premise that Belfast is a British or Irish city but instead on the basis that it should be a shared city welcoming to all regardless of national identity.

The compromise proposed by the Alliance Party concerning flying of the Union Flag on designated days at Belfast City Hall reflects this position. It balances Northern Ireland's position within the UK against reality that we live in a divided society accommodating people of different nationalities whether British, Irish, Northern Irish, European, other and none.

Since our foundation we have worked hard to move Northern Irish society forward on this basis by consensus and compromise, when necessary and possible, despite the strong opposition experienced from Unionists, Nationalists, Republicans and Loyalists on many occasions.

Stubborn 'not an inch' approaches designed to stop decision making cannot be allowed to leave Northern Ireland divided forever. Consensus is about working with reasonable people to get a reasonable solution that everybody can support. It should never be about vetoes, diktats, threats and dirty tricks. Alliance will not yield in its opposition to such tactics and are determined to move forward together.

The battle is hard, the decisions are difficult but I firmly believe that we will see the goal of a shared future delivered. We owe it to future generations to resolve those issues that continue to divide us, to settle the tectonic plates and build a stable shared future together.

New beginning promised with Good Friday Agreement needs realised

I feel very privileged and proud to have been elected as Alliance Party's new Chair at our AGM in Newtownards yesterday at a time when the Alliance Party is showing real leadership in building a new Northern Ireland for everyone.

As a result of recent events and actions Northern Ireland has been forced to choose between politics of hope, reconciliation and sharing over separation, intransigence and indecisiveness.

The Alliance Party is determined to continue providing positive leadership to build a Shared Future and take the difficult decisions to build an open, welcoming and inclusive shared society.

Issues considered difficult cannot be deferred indefinitely. The politics of dither, delay, indecision and division are damaging public confidence in democracy evidenced by reducing voter turnout.

The new beginning promised within the Good Friday Agreement remains necessary today as it was on Good Friday in 1998 and must be realised to meet the hopes and desires expressed by the overwhelming majority of people who voted in favour of the Agreement fifteen years ago choosing Yes over No.

As someone born after the establishment of the Alliance Party, I am younger than Alliance but remember the background against which the party was founded. Whilst levels of violence have thankfully reduced battle for peace, reconciliation and resolution of the difficult issues which have divided our society for decades remains. 

I look forward to playing my role over the forthcoming year as Party Chair to ensure Alliance continues to lead this battle for everyone.