Newtownards greenway will cause antisocial behaviour at Somme Museum, councillor says

A DUP local politician has said a newly approved stretch of greenway in Newtownards could provide a “path” for antisocial behaviour at the Somme Heritage Centre.

Alderman Stephen McIlveen also criticised Ards and North Down Council officers as being “dismissive” of concerns from local residents about the plan to make three kilometres of new greenway between the north of the town out to the Somme Heritage Centre. The planning applicant was Ards and North Down Council, and the council’s officers proposed the plan be recommended to elected members.

The plan, which was approved at the Planning Committee by all elected representatives apart from Alderman McIlveen, is part of the £12.5 million Greenways Network Project, which will see 57 kilometres of greenway restored or created to make an interconnected green path throughout the borough. Ultimately the new greenway is planned to connect to Belfast, to link with a Stormont initiative aiming to create a new coastal greenway from Holywood into the city.