Warning that character of historic quay is being buried beneath a modern exterior

Stephen Johnston, the director of Building Services, has responded to criticism of the ongoing refurbishment of Fisherman's Quay by telling councillors that guidelines laid down by the Environment Agency left little room for manoeuvre on how the work should be carried out.

Members of the Building Services committee this week warned that the character of the quay is being buried beneath a modern exterior that threatens to turn the listed monument into a mere extension of the new promenade.

Alderman David Hilditch told Monday's meeting: "The authenticity of the historic quay has disappeared; the cobbled surface that can be seen in historic paintings has disappeared. Members were looking to restore the quay to its former glory, but it is going to look like a brand new quay."

Mr Johnston explained: "There were prolonged negotiations with the Environment Agency over what we could do the pier. They set a number of stipulations."

Among these were that any work not corresponding exactly to the original form of the structure "should be completely visually distinct from the pier - you should not make any mistake about what is new".

New additions must also be "physically separate" from the historic pier. The new surface is "literally set on top with a layer of plastic between the two - the original monument has been repaired and has had this placed on top of it."

Cllr Jim Brown noted that the same meeting had seen approval of a change of name for a section of Dalways Bawn Road - to Killybeggs Road - and expressed alarm that another reminder of one of the Borough's most prominent citizens is being obscured.

"Mr Dalway, when running for Parliament, promised the fishermen of Scotch Quarter that if they voted for him, he would provide a quay. We have seen part of the removal of a memorial to Dalway; we are now seeing the obliteration of the quay," he told colleagues.

"(The work) is taking away its character and authenticity; it looks more like a block of concrete sticking out into Belfast Lough, a complete change to what was there. I do not think it conjures up the historical perspective of what Fisherman's Quay is about.

"Someone coming back to Carrickfergus after being away 50 years will see a drastic change. I do not believe we want to replace what was there with a concrete replica."

Mr Johnston reiterated that "the intention was never to create a concrete replica - quite the opposite," but had no choice but to comply with the instructions given.

Alderman Hilditch claimed the approach is at odds with that taken at Carrickfergus Castle, which he said has at various times seen repairs carried out to restore the fortress to something closely resembling its original form.

The director was instructed to write to the Environment Agency requesting an explanation.