Round Tower ‘under threat’
Thursday, 7 August 2008
Antrim boasts one of the finest standing round towers in Ireland, but campaigners fear that the building which has stood for over a thousand years may soon face its biggest ever threat.
PLANS to build a new housing development close to Antrim's most famous tourist attraction could face opposition in the form of a new resident's committee who would be 'up in arms' about proposals for land near the iconic Round Tower, which has been dubbed 'surplus to requirements'.
Locals residing in the Steeple area are furious at the decision by Antrim Borough Council to sell the land on the open market, claiming it could seriously damage Antrim's heritage, and increase the strain on the area's sewage facilities, which has caused misery for residents in the past.
The famous Round Tower, which is believed to be over 1,000 years old, stands close to Steeple House, a listed building which was once the headquarters for the council. Both structures are considered by locals to be of 'historical value' and it is feared any developments close to the site could compromise the area's attraction to visitors.
Local resident John Curry warned that a committee of concerned residents could be created in the coming weeks in order to present an official local opposition to the plans.
“Firstly, we are disappointed that this decision wasn't communicated to the public on a wider level," he told the Antrim Guardian.
“We are aware that developers are seeking planning permission to construct up to 90 units, in what is already a cramped area. Not only will this put more pressure on those currently living here in terms of potential sewage problems and noise pollution from construction, but the impact on one of our top visitor attractions could be catastrophic.
“The massing of houses in a small scale area is only going to create problems for this town, and all the while another slice of historic Antrim is being threatened. We are in the process of getting a group together to discuss ways of opposing this development, and we will keep an eye on how things proceed."
However, any new committee could find themselves at odds with the existing Steeple Resident's Association, the Chairman of which claims the sale of land could go ahead, with the historic buildings 'safeguarded' from construction work taking place nearby.
DUP Councillor John Smyth, who heads the Association, said the council were currently wasting money maintaining the land, which is 'unused' at present.
“It's surplus land, and there will be a 500 yard radius around the tower to protect it from construction work," he said.
