Councillors give green light for English-Irish street signs near Orange hall in Portadown despite opposition

Officers and members of Reformation Defenders RBP 1517 wrote to Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon Borough Council, expressing concerns over the dual-language signs requests.

Residents of both streets have been surveyed, with more than the required two-thirds of householders indicating that they wanted bilingual signage, however as councillors could still exercise discretion and turn down the requests, members of RBP 1517 – and other stakeholders – hoped Planning committee members would take their concerns on board.

A total of 16 residents were identified as living in Corcrain Gardens and 12 householders responded to support dual-language signage provision – just above the 10.66 two-thirds majority required.

Likewise, at Ballyoran Hill, 35 residents were surveyed, with 25 respondents indicating that they wanted bilingual signage, again just above the 23.33 two-thirds majority required.

Officers and members of Reformation Defenders RBP 1517 outlined their concerns to the council, saying they had chosen the Corcrain area to hold meetings due to the ‘now peaceful atmosphere’.

“Our members – particularly our elder members – now felt safe entering an area where once they would have felt unsafe.

“This is a tribute to the people of the Corcrain / Ballyoran area that they have built a truly shared space after decades of division and violence in this area of Portadown.

“This has taken a lot of time and effort by many local stakeholders to achieve, and we would caution the ABC Council against approving signage that would destroy the excellent community relations in this now shared space.

“We would therefore appeal to the councillors in ABC Council not to allow the permanent marking of territory by one section of the community – particularly in shared spaces used by both sections of the community.”

The Worshipful Master of RBP 141 expressed similar concerns, saying: “We feel these signs are divisive, with the motive being to make Protestants/unionists/loyalists feel unwelcome in the area, in the hope they will stay away.

“This is not the way to build community cohesion and is only likely to build tension in an area that has been fairly peaceful for quite some time now.”

Concerns were also expressed in correspondence by Corcrain Cultural and Development Association and Corcrain Purple Rocket LOL 339.

The matter was listed for determination at the latest Planning & Regulatory Services committee meeting.

Councillor Paul Duffy (SF) asked: “I know it is not the first time we have had objections. So, why are we really giving them any weight at all?”

Head of Building Control, Tom Lavery replied: “It says that officers will bring all information in relation to this. It is for members to decide as to how much weight they put on these objections or any other comments that come forward.”

Councillor Peter Lavery (Alliance) felt that anything that could enhance cultural diversity in any area ought to be welcomed.

He commented: “My view on it is, in terms of some of the objectors’ comments about marking territory and all that, I feel it’s a wee bit disappointing.

“I am conscious that they don’t seem to like the policy. This policy was agreed by all 41 elected members from all parties in this chamber, and it has been implemented for a number of years.

“There seems to be some concern amongst the objectors that you might end up in a situation where you have a language sign in English and Irish beside a Loyal Orange Order Lodge.

“Personally, I do not have concerns about that, because I feel that that kind of cultural diversity in that area is reflective of the cultural diversity in that street, in Portadown and in this borough.”

Committee vice-chair, Councillor Mary O’Dowd (SF) said the Irish language is a shared heritage “for everyone, not just one religion or one race or one whatever”.

Councillor Kyle Moutray (DUP) urged committee members to “step back and recognise the historical context of the area”.

“This is an Orange hall that has been here for over a century. Through that time, and more recently, there has been relative stability and a sense of peace.

"I think they have genuine concerns that they do not want anything to heighten tensions. They feel this has the potential for that, and that it could contribute to a sense of alienation and tension within the local community. So, I have to apply weight to that.”

Cllr Lavery remarked: “We should not let the divisions of the past hold us back from making things better for the future.

“I think Cllr Moutray pointed out that the Orange hall has been there for 100 years, and I think the decision today would simply mean it will still be there for another 100 or more years, but just with a street beside it that has a sign in English and in Irish.

“I am conscious the two-thirds threshold has been met, and that is where I am placing my weighting - the residents want it, so therefore the council should be implementing the policy, while acknowledging those objectors.”

Cllr Lavery seconded Cllr Duffy’s proposal to approve bilingual signage at Corcrain Gardens.

A recorded vote was then taken, with the following councillors voting in favour of the proposal: Cllr Kevin Savage (SF), Cllr Mary O’Dowd, Cllr Fergal Donnelly (SF), Cllr Paul Duffy (SF), Cllr Peter Lavery (Alliance), Cllr Sorchá McGeown (SF) and Cllr John Óg O’Kane (SF).

Voting against were Cllr Scott Armstrong (DUP), Cllr Julie Flaherty (UUP), Cllr Kyle Moutray (DUP), Ald Paul Rankin (DUP) and Cllr Ian Wilson (DUP).

With seven votes in favour and five against, the recommendation was adopted.

A debate regarding Ballyoran Hill was similar. A recorded vote was again taken, and the outcome was identical to the previous vote.