New signs point to progress at quarry

The multi-million project to redevelop the massive, derelict quarry site has been described as one of the biggest regeneration schemes in Europe. However, since outline planning permission was granted by the then Environment Minister Sammy Wilson last June, it appeared - to the public at least - that nothing was happening.

Members of Islandmagee and District Conservation Society, who lobbied long and hard against the abandoned quarry being turned into a superdump, said people were getting anxious.

"We were being asked all the time: Why is nothing happening? What is going on?" explained society member Maureen Hanvey.

Find out more about how the development is progressing exclusively in this week's paper. In fact it’s a day we thought at one time we would never see,” she added.

“It’s worth stressing that this is one of the biggest environmental projects inthe UK and it will be a big economic boost for the Larne area when it comes about,” said Mrs Hanvey.

Mr Wilson, as MP for East Antrim, visited the site on Friday morning, when he urged patience.

“Given the mammoth scale of this project and the fact that there is a very wide range of public and private sector interest in it, it is going to take time and that is why, as each stage gets underway, it is important to keep the public informed,” he said.

“It’s important that people are aware that Lafarge is committed to making it happen and that’s why, when I was the Environment Minister and it looked like the project was going to run into the sand when it was going through the planning process I was glad that I was able to push it through, because it showed Lafarge that we are also serious about making it happen.

“And why wouldn’t we be,” he asked, “when this is one of the biggest tourism and most innovative housing projects in the United Kingdom?”