Issue 196 - North Down BT18 •BT19 • BT20 • BT21
Holywood Malodour Still A Concern
Alliance Councillor David Rossiter has recently urged NI Water and the Northern Ireland Environment Agency to step up work to locate the source of recent malodours in Holywood.
Commodore Rob Milligan with the Minister of State for NI, Steve Baker, and Mayor Jennifer Gilmour
NIO Minister visits Bangor to set sail in Ballyholme Bay
Recently The Minister of State for Northern Ireland, Steve Baker, a keen fast catamaran sailor, visited Northern Ireland’s newest city to experience some of the water sports on offer in the area. On a previous visit to Bangor, the Minister heard first-hand about the exciting regeneration plans in development for the City. As he enjoyed a tour of the waterfront area, it prompted the Minster’s desire to return, and with a particular
interest in sailing, he visited Ballyholme Yacht Club . Ballyholme Yacht Club benefits from both the safe waters of Ballyholme Bay and the open waters of Belfast Lough. During the visit, Minister Baker enjoyed sailing a hydrofoiling
sailboat and catamaran, and also took the opportunity to meet children taking part in an RYA Youth Sailing Scheme. The Minister of State for Northern Ireland, Steve Baker, said: “Sailing with local people in Bangor’s
Ballyholme Bay has been an amazing experience which has allowed me to enjoy first-hand the city’s great watersports infrastructure.
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Cllr Rossiter said, “I have been in regular contact with Ards and North Down Environmental Health, Protection and Development department. Much work is being carried out daily to get to the source of the problem. However, the origin remains to be determined by authorities. It was initially believed the issue was the wastewater treatment works, and NI Water agreed to carry out tests. They have since confirmed they do not think the smell results from their plant. Officials at the Council and the Northern Ireland Environment Agency have since conducted several field visits. This has been to examine the possibility of the smell emanating from
decaying seaweed. I am greatly concerned about irregular water quality testing at Kinnegar and Seapark. While DEARA takes responsibility for testing water at registered bathing spots like Helen’s Bay, Seapark and Kinnegar are left behind. With so many children and dogs in the water at Seapark, the Council and DEARA must act now to ensure the water is safe at our beauty spots.” Andrew Muir MLA said, “A significant number of residents have been in touch with me with fear that the previous poor odours that blighted Holywood have returned. NI Water and NIEA must take swift action to identify the source and end the pong for good.”