Boundaries Commission ignored our wishes say Dunmurry residents
DUNMURRY residents say they are 'frustrated and angry' that the final recommendations of the Local Government Boundaries Commission will result in the village bcoming part of the Belfast Council area.
The chairman of Dunmurry Community Association Billy Thompson said the people in the area feel they have been ignored.
"There is a feeling of anger and frustration seeping into the community right across the village" he said. "We intend to take this as far as we can and will not be giving up on this."
MLA Jonathan Craig and Councillor Margaret Tolerton said they were 'deeply disappointed' with the final recommendations on the boundaries for the new merged Lisburn and Castlereagh Council.
Mr Craig said: "This is a village which has shown its extreme opposition to these proposals and has an Association which has co-ordinated public meetings and petitions, in excess of 1,000, which were sent to the Commissioner. There have been letters of opposition from businesses and clergy in the area, yet despite all these representations and reports from elected members, including our MP, the Commissioner has failed to listen to the people."
Mr Craig said he has made arrangements for Dunmurry Community Association to make a presentation to Lisburn Council Planning Committee on Monday August 3 so the Committee has an opportunity to reiterate its support for the people of Dunmurry and express its "extreme disappointment at the way the people of Dunmurry have been shabbily treated".
Mr Craig said: "Following that meeting, after which the Councillors will no doubt consider the matter seriously and must look at the possibility of moving forward with a judicial review."
The Mayor of Lisburn, Councillor Allan Ewart, also expressed his anger and disappointment. He said no one knows or understands the massive blow that has been dealt to Lisburn and Castlereagh Councils for their future survival.
Lisburn City Council says the unaltered boundaries from the revised recommendations report has 'created a barrier for inward investment and the erosion of local identities established in both Councils over many years'.
"It appears that the influence of this report significantly focussed on Belfast growing its population to the detriment of Lisburn and Castlereagh", the Council said.
The Council also pointed out: "While the new Lisburn/Castlereagh area will have roughly the same population as the current Lisburn City Council, the new combined Councils will have lost a major part of its non-domestic rate base to Belfast, which could affect significantly the delivery of frontline services".
Mr Ewart said: "It is just deplorable that local community representatives and local identities such as Dunmurry are not listened to and that so much history can be eroded at the stroke of a pen."
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Sunday 05 February 2012
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