UGP organisers oppose plans for cemetery

Promoters of the Ulster Grand Prix, the Dundrod and District Motorcycle Club (DDMC) and the Ulster Grand Prix Supporters Club (UGPSC) are urging race fans and local residents to oppose plans for a 96 acre cemetery just off the race circuit.
By The Newsroom
Published 3rd Aug 2016, 17:23 BST
Updated 3rd Aug 2016, 18:25 BST
Alderman James Tinsley, Chairman of Corporate Services Committee, Lisburn & Castlereagh City Council.Alderman James Tinsley, Chairman of Corporate Services Committee, Lisburn & Castlereagh City Council.
Alderman James Tinsley, Chairman of Corporate Services Committee, Lisburn & Castlereagh City Council.

The two organisations say they are united with a majority of local residents in their opposition to the plans for the site on Quarterland Road, which have been submitted to Lisburn and Castlereagh City Council.

A number of local politicians including Alderman James Tinsley met with DDMC, UGPSC and the residents on several occasions and are fully supportive of the opposition. Already there have been 350 letters of objections sent to the council.

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The only access to the cemetery would be via the Ulster Grand Prix circuit.

“This proposal is fundamentally incompatible with the long established Ulster Grand Prix circuit,” said Robert Graham, Chairman of the Dundrod and District Motorcycle Club.

“This event is one of the biggest annual events in the road racing calendar, attracting tens of thousands of visitors from across the world. The economic impact is significant; spectator spend alone generates an estimated £2.5m every year, and there are more than 10,000 commercial bed nights.

“The Ulster Grand Prix is part of the fabric of the area and all steps must be taken to protect this important event.”