Consultation to be held over controversial access to local park
A Dundonald public consultation is set to be rolled out over controversial access to a park named after one of Northern Ireland’s greatest footballers.
The Billy Neill MBE Country Park has hosted local and major Irish FA events, including the UK’s biggest football tournament for people with disabilities, the George Best Community Cup.
Lisburn and Castlereagh City Council’s recent communities committee has been told that residents’ views will be quizzed after years of “strong opinions on both sides”.
In chambers, Alderman, Sharon Skillen said: "In regards to a consultation in terms of getting access to Billy Neill Park, I really don’t have a view on whether people should or shouldn’t as I know there are strong opinions on both sides.
“I think a consultation on that would bring it to a close.
“But, we have talked about it for a couple of years now, so I am just wondering where that is at and to get a picture of whether that conversation will happen soon or later.”
The Billy Neill Park dedicated to the legendary Glentoran Football Club player (1947 to the early ’60s), currently has one main entrance on the Comber Road supported by on-site parking.
As well as soccer, the Billy Neill centre hosts other sporting activities, including the International Cross-Country Championship. The 115 acre green zone plays host to football pitches as well as walking and cycling trails and is rich in biodiversity, which some local people believe should be accessible by a second entrance closer to their homes.
The Local Democracy Reporting Service understands that some residents against a new access point, have raised concerns over people potentially parking around any new entrance to the park.
New openings could then lead to further access problems for locals with vehicles parked outside their homes, as well as concerns over speed limits in the residential area.
Other residents have concerns over a lack of entry points causing them to walk long distances or even having to drive to gain access to the park. Access areas understood to be considered include Millmount Avenue and Greengraves Road. A council officer responded: “Just in relation to access at Billy Neill I would hope that this would be done in May time and we would be able to bring something back eventually in June.”