Councillors in County Derry say they are 'being ignored' when voicing concerns about the sale of a popular former attraction.
Dermot Nicholl, the Sinn Fein chair of Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council's leisure and development committee, has denied UUP Alderman Norman Hillis’ request to openly discuss the possible sale of land at Metropole Park, Portrush.
The sale of the Dunluce Centre was to be heard ‘in committee’, however, Ald Hillis asked if the lands at Metropole Park, on which the Dunluce Centre sits, be discussed in public.
It is understood that the preferred bidder is asking for four extra acres of the adjacent land.
Ald Hillis said he was concerned that progress on the sale was being “stage managed”, adding that he felt “councillors like myself are being ignored”.
He said: “I understand that lands next to the Dunluce Centre may be considered and now it’s part and parcel of the sale. That’s in the public interest.
“Before you know it two thirds of the Metropole Park will have vanished into private hands.”
Chair Councillor Dermott Nicholl refused the request saying it was “in committee” and therefore would be discussed “in committee”.
Speaking after the committee chair’s decision, Ald Hillis said: “I was upset but certainly not surprised at the refusal.
“A report was due in January, then Feburary, then March and now April. I had requested that the local DEA councillors be briefed but that was ignored.
“The committee chair and the mayor were allowed to observe the scoring process and I have no issue with that. Subsequently, the director Richard Baker, briefed the main party group leaders.
“My main concern is that if this proposal to sell the Dunluce Centre and half of the rest of Metropole Park passes, leaving only a small portion in public ownership, then it follows that it can only be discussed ‘in committee’ when it eventually is considered at the main council meeting in May.
“That means there will be no opportunity for the public to have any real knowledge of what is at stake.
“Councillors like me are issued with the report but it is marked ‘not for publication’ which means I cannot divulge the details and we can only comment on the decision when it is made.”
