DUP pushes through costly beach cleaning equipment over council opposition

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 18 Oct, 16:02 · Archive

The DUP is forcing through a £125,000 mechanical beach cleaning scheme that other parties say will damage coastal habitats.

Ards and North Down Borough Council is split over proposals to buy mechanical beach cleaning equipment costing roughly £125,000, comprising a mobile machinery wash-down unit and a mechanical beach cleaner. The equipment would clear beach vegetation as well as litter from four coastal sites: Millisle, Cloughey, Seapark in Holywood, and Portavogie.

Council officers recommended against the purchase. They noted that no approved Parks and Cemeteries capital or revenue budget is currently available for the work, and said the proposed beach cleaning and seaweed removal operations would require careful assessment because all four locations are within or affected by sensitive coastal, marine or bird designations. Officers instead recommended a 'phased, nature-based management approach' involving conservation, access management and community engagement.

The DUP, led by Alderman Robert Adair, pushed to override the officers' recommendation. All other council parties oppose the equipment purchase, claiming it would be costly and damaging to local biodiversity. One concern raised is that the equipment may be left unused.

How it is being reported

• Council split amid claim that six-figure beach cleaning equipment 'may just be left to rust'DUP accused of forcing through damaging and expensive beach cleaning equipment on coasts v.1News Letter · 18 Oct, 15:26
• DUP accused of forcing through damaging and expensive beach cleaning equipment on coastsThe equipment, costing at least £125, would clear beach vegetation as well as litterBelfast Live · 16 Oct, 18:56

In this story: DUP · Ards and North Down Borough Council · Robert Adair · North Down · Ards peninsula · Millisle · Cloughey · Holywood

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