THE Fire Service intends to carry out ground surveys of a possible site of a new station in Ballycastle in a move which appears to rule out any chance of the land being used as a temporary summer camp for members of the Travelling Community, it has emerged.
Controversy has raged in Ballycastle over the last week after Moyle Council had seemingly agreed, in principle, to allow a number of Traveller caravans into a field at Ramoan Road during the months of July and August this year.
It is understood coun
cillors' phones rang red-hot after a number of people in the area rang to say they either did not want the move or were angry at the lack of consultation.
The Council looked at the site as a possible venue for travellers believing it could take some time for the Fire Service to move forward with their activity but just days after the decision at a Council meeting on June 22 the Fire Service got in touch with the Council to confirm they want to carry out tests on the land.
A Northern Ireland Fire & Rescue (NIFRS) spokesperson told the Times: "We can confirm we have been liaising with Moyle District Council regarding a potential site on the Ramoan Road, Ballycastle, for a new Fire Station for the town.
"NIFRS is assessing the site to determine its suitability with topographical and geotechnical surveys scheduled to take place in July as well as further feasibility studies.
"Ballycastle Fire Station is one of 26 Fire Stations in Northern Ireland to be replaced over the next 10 years and NIFRS will be consulting with the local Ballycastle community before any decisions are taken about the future location of the new Ballycastle Fire Station."
Meanwhile, the Traveller controversy arose after the Council appeared to give the go-ahead, in principle, for the site to be used by the Travelling Community in July and August this year.
This was duly reported by the local press last week and confirmed to the Times by a source at Moyle Council but since the information appeared last week it seems some councillors are alleging that was not what was agreed.
Some said what they did agree was to examine, in principle, the Ramoan Road site and a number of other possible sites.
The Times asked the Council for clarification on the matter but by Monday afternoon we had no response.
However, Group leader of Sinn Fein on Moyle District Council, Councillor Paudie McShane, in a statement, said: "The site proposed for the travelling community was always going to be a non-runner.
"The Ramoan Road site has been earmarked for the future development of a new Fire Station for the Ballycastle area. Councillors agreed this move in principle last year.
"The Fire Service is pressing ahead with plans for future augmentation of the area and have requested the use of the site to test dig for that project. This latest evolvement will end speculation on the Ramoan Road site."
Councillor McShane added: "The Fire Service are currently using a building that is not fit for purpose in Ballycastle. It is impossible to have proper training facilities located on site due to current restrictions of the same. The Fire Service also see themselves as part of the community. Future expansion of the new site would reflect this with plans for a shared community centre for locals to avail of included in the project.
"While a new Fire Station is the preferred option for the site, it cannot be stressed enough that full community engagement must take place within the vicinity of the site for any future development to proceed. I would encourage anyone to contact myself, or one of my party colleagues, should they have any concerns."
When the Traveller Community debate was mentioned at last week's Council meeting, Councillor Robert McIlroy (DUP) said the Council should consult with residents at Ramoan Road to find out their feelings.
A report prepared for Moyle Council ahead of last week's Council meeting said: 'Given that travellers are a minority ethnic community often treated with prejudice, Moyle councillors have responded to this in a very positive way by meeting with representatives of the Travelling Community, PSNI and Northern Ireland Housing Executive to engage in discussions on identifying a suitable site.
'The meeting was requested by the Travelling Community in order to make preparations in advance of the season and to reduce community tension which could occur if caravans are sited in unauthorised locations.
'The Northern Ireland Housing Executive normally bears the responsibility for provision of sites for Travellers but have no available land in the Ballycastle area and are happy to work in partnership with others in order to provide the necessary facilities.
'At the meeting, which took place on May 29, a number of potential sites were suggested to accommodate the needs of Travellers who traditionally come to Ballycastle throughout the summer.
'The Good Relations Officer has been in contact with some of the land-owners and is awaiting feedback.
'However, one of the siges suggested is a Council-owned peice of land on Ramoan Road. Council agreed on October 13, 2008, that this land would be sold to the Northern Ireland Fire & Rescue Service but NIFRS are currently progressing a business case/economic appraisal which may take some months.
'It was suggested that Council might gibe permission for this land to be used by the Travelling Community in the interim, ie Summer 2009.
'Until we have information on the viability of the other sites identified and/or a preferred site, it would be useful to have a decision, in principle, on the possible use of the Council-owned land on Ramoan Road."
And the Council report ended: 'Recommendation: Consider whether or not to give permission for the Travelling Community to use Council-owned land on Ramoan Road during July and August 2009."
Meanwhile, the Housing Executive has not commented on claims they said they do not have responsibility for travellers in Ballycastle because Travellers only go there on their "holidays".
Moyle Council Chief Executive Richard Lewis said he found it an "amazing" statement for the Executive to make and he said the matter was now being dealt with by Moyle Council.
It was claimed at the Council meeting that a traveller admitted at a meeting that they see Ballycastle as a holiday destination during the summer and they go there when their children are off school. It was claimed the Housing Executive then said that was evidence that they do not need to provide a permanent site in Ballycastle.
But when the Times asked the Housing Executive about the 'holiday' claims, they failed to comment specifically.
Instead a spokesperson issued a statement saying: 'In December past, the Housing Executive published its second Traveller Accommodation Needs Assessment and leading from this is working to develop a Traveller housing programme where need is identified across Northern Ireland.
"There are no unauthorised encampments in Moyle or evidence of need for permanent group housing or permanent serviced sites for Travellers.
"There is however, an issue of Travellers coming to the area for short periods of time, generally over the summer months, and the Housing Executive has been liaising with Moyle Council on this."
Paudie McShane said: "I think the Housing Executive is abdicating their responsibility by suggesting the travelling community is on holidays 365 days a year."
