The fence and gate was erected in March 2019 without planning permission
Ards and North Down Council has ordered Northern Ireland Water to take down an “ugly” coastal safety fence in Bangor, after a groundswell of local objections.
The fence and gate was erected by NI Water in March 2019, without planning permission, to deal with the potential health and safety risks of persons falling from the coastal path wall five metres down to the concrete below. The council itself had asked the public water facility to create a health and safety plan at the pumping station. No such accidents have been reported at the site to date.
At the recent Planning Committee, UUP Councillor Carl McClean welcomed legal advice given to the council, which suggested policy reasons against the application. He proposed elected representatives refuse the retention of the fence. Councillor McClean said: “Legal advice, as with planning policy, cannot be expected to always be in accordance with common sense. But this clearly is in accordance with common sense - that strain that allows us to refuse this thankfully.
He added: “I am very sympathetic to NI Water’s position. They were acceding to a request from us to put something up and fix an issue. But ultimately they are always going to go very heavy on health and safety, and be very concerned with liability. I think we took that far too much at face value. If you consider the dangers anywhere along the coastal path, around the marina itself, at many many different points - there is nothing more or less dangerous.
Danmark Seneste Nyt, Danmark Overskrifter
Similar News:Du kan også læse nyheder, der ligner denne, som vi har indsamlet fra andre nyhedskilder.
NI mum pens moving book after heartbreaking losses of sister and daughterSiobhan McHale lost her sister Kathleen in a terrorist bomb while her daughter Gemma died tragically in a car accident.
Læs mere »
Italian man living in NI for 10 years achieves dream of opening authentic caféFrancesco has always had a passion for good food and opened La Bottega seven months ago
Læs mere »
Romano pours cold water on two potential Arsenal signings with 'no negotiations ongoing'Transfer expert Fabrizio Romano has poured cold water on talks suggesting Arsenal could sign N'Golo Kante and Edon Zhegrova this summer.
Læs mere »
Leaving water for hedgehogs 'may save life' in hot spellA charity is reminding people of the importance of leaving bowls of water out.
Læs mere »
Michelle O'Neill says 'next PM must face reality NI Protocol here to stay''The protocol is here to stay, so they need to stop the high wire act and playing to the gallery.'
Læs mere »