Minister Dodds was commenting on the Environment Minister’s announcement that she is of a mind to approve Seaport Investments’ planning application for a new visitor centre at the Giant’s Causeway.
Mr Dodds said: “The Giant’s Causeway needs and deserves world class visitor facilities and I would encourage all the key local stakeholders to work together to help achieve that prize.
“I welcome the fact that Minister Foster has made her views known on the private sector application for a new visitor centre.”
The Minister went on to explain what this decision meant for the Department of Enterprise Trade and Investment and the Northern Ireland Tourist Boards’ proposals for developing a visitor centre; he said: “The Department and NITB became involved as a potential developer of last resort. This was at the request of the key stakeholders who were unable, over an extended period of time, to reach agreement.”
The Minister continued: “It would not be a prudent use of taxpayers’ money to proceed further in the circumstances, given Minister Foster’s position on the private sector planning application. The DETI/NITB project would cost in excess of £21million.
“The people of Northern Ireland will no doubt look to all local stakeholders to work constructively to deliver the facilities expected by visitors to this magnificent tourism asset.”
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