Cunningham: National Trust ‘sabotaging’ our tourism opportunities

SDLP Moyle District councillor Donal Cunningham has said the National Trust’s decision to legally challenge the development of a golf resort at Runkerry will delay the revitalisation of the local economy.

Cllr Cunningham said: “The best interests of the people here and across Northern Ireland haven’t been at the heart of this decision.

“On the eve of a big golf tournament, when we’re all working together to try and create jobs and boost our local economy, the National Trust appears to be trying to sabotage our tourism prospects; their timing really couldn’t be worse.

“The tourism spin-off which could be generated from this golf resort is manifold, not just in Bushmills, but in Ballycastle, the Glens and in Northern Ireland as a whole.

“At a time when youth unemployment is soaring and there is such a deep sense of hopelessness among young people, this legal challenge will do little in the way of discouraging our youth from emigration.

“I appeal to the National Trust to take into account the wider benefits which this development will bring to our region, rather than just serving their own interests.”