Portadown: circus refused at Kernan site with close proximity to cemetery and parking capacity concerns cited
Circus Vegas have been refused permission to use the gravel pitch area at Central Sports Area, Kernan, from May 5 to May 11, due to concerns over parking capacity which could impact nearby residents.
In addition, it was felt that the site in question was not appropriate for a circus, with Kernan Cemetery close by, and it was also feared that Craigavon Model Racing Club and the aircraft club, both adjacent to the envisaged site for the circus, could see their activities disrupted on the above dates.
The matter was discussed at Tuesday’s (February 3) Environmental Services committee meeting of Armagh City, Banbridge & Craigavon (ABC) Borough Council, with the relevant agenda item describing the circus in a very positive light: “Circus Vegas is a family-run company that has been touring Ireland for over 20 years.
“Circus Vegas is a 100 per cent all-human production with a strict no-animal policy, proudly operating without animals for over 10 years.”
Head of Climate, Parks & Sustainability, Claire Duddy acknowledged that allowing the circus to operate on the above dates, at that location, would generate some disruption.
She stated: “This booking request, if approved, would displace some football bookings potentially, and it will also bring some additional traffic to the area.
“However, discussions have been taking place with the circus organisers to try to minimise any disruption to both the cemetery staff and the general public in that vicinity.
“We’ve also consulted with Environmental Health in considering this application. It’s recommended that you give permission for Circus Vegas to use the gravel pitch area at Central Sports Arena from May 5 to May 11, to facilitate this circus.”
Various Clubs
Ald Margaret Tinsley (Craigavon DEA) felt very strongly that the proposed location was not compatible with the nearby cemetery and the various clubs based there.
The DUP representative commented: “I have no doubt that this is a great community-minded circus. However, when I received the papers yesterday, I was straight on with officers, because it had mentioned about a traffic-management system plan which hadn’t been attached to the report.
“It said they were going to manage the burials and so on, and there was no detail of that. I went on to several of the officers and I did receive the traffic-management plan.
“It suggested that the car parking was going to be used at the back, where the model aircraft club currently meet. They have no notification of this. The model car club have no notification [either], and neither have any of the football clubs, and there’s eight of those on a Saturday alone.
“Now, my concern is cancelling all of those stakeholders that are there every single week. In addition to that, how are we going to deal with the funerals? There’s no plan in place with regards to that.
“I’m also concerned about the car parking that there is at Kernan Cemetery. If cars for the circus park there, then there’s no space available for those that are visiting the cemetery.”
Ald Tinsley said that she still remembered how bad the parking situation used to be on the Kernan Hill Road when the sports pitches were being used in addition to funeral proceedings, forcing visitors to double-park.
It took a long time for parking provision to be enhanced to alleviate the problem, and the Craigavon representative said she was anxious to avoid any return to the traffic chaos that the double-parking situation generated.
She commented: “I also was concerned about [being back with] double parking on the road. [I recall the time when] residents couldn’t get up or down the road because of the car-parking system.
“Now, I did see the traffic-management plan and they’re [suggesting] that there’s going to be two individuals looking after the 500 people coming in, and directing them to ticket sales, as well as managing the traffic coming in. I have a concern about that.
“In addition to that, [I have a] concern about them parking at the model aircraft club. Whenever Covid was upon us, the Trust used that car park [for vaccination purposes], and it was left in such a state that it took a considerable amount of money to rectify.
“Now, I am aware that there’s a deposit coming in from the circus, and that should cover the expenditure needed. However, it took up to 18 months to get the surface back [to its original state], before the individuals using the aircraft club could actually fly their planes without fear of damage.
“I think I’ve covered everything. Residents are very concerned about everything that I have laid out. My proposal would be that we do not accept this recommendation. However, officers [can] discuss alternative sites with the company that will cause less disruption to residents and stakeholders.”
Seconding the proposal, Cllr Kate Evans (UUP, Craigavon DEA) commented: “Alderman Tinsley has pretty much raised all the issues that I had in my head there. I too have had residents on [who are] concerned.
"They’re already tortured with parking down around that area. So, I’m more than happy to second Alderman Tinsley’s proposal and see if there’s somewhere else that we can potentially use.”
Committee members indicated that they were all in agreement with the recommendation not to allow Circus Vegas to use the gravel pitch area at Central Sports Arena, Kernan. Consequently, an alternative location will have to be found.
François Vincent, Local Democracy Reporter