As reported by Causeway Coast Community, there may be plans afoot by Causeway Coast & Glens Borough Council to relocate the Robert Quigg statue, which was unveiled in the Village of Bushmills in July 2016 by HM The Queen.
The plans were put to Councillors in a closed meeting last week, including updating them on the progression of the Bushmills’ ‘Arrival Hub’ which would facilitate a ‘Park & Stride / Park and Ride’ for the village.
Causeway Coast Community have seen documents that included the proposed relocation of the statue which would be needed due to a new entrance to the car-park at The Dundarave Estate.
Some Councillors are believed to oppose the development of the existing car park at Dundarave on the grounds it ‘brings nothing to the community, increases air pollution beside a large residential area where there are children and would incur a considerable cost to the ratepayer to amend the existing covenant which would allow the basalt wall to be removed on the site’, according to Causeway Coast Community article.
It’s believed that today it could cost anything from £50,000 to £100,000 plus in order to have the covenant protecting the basalt wall the length of the car park removed.
Councillors feel that questions are need to be asked around the proposed reciting of the Quigg Memorial at the boundary wall and also the terms of the existing lease between the old Moyle Council and the National Trust, including the duration of the lease and the current income accrued from the existing lease.
local Councillor has said:
“As well as our concerns, there is a private operator with a planning application to build a car park. Such an option would be cost negative to the ratepayer.”
