Competing interests at Limavady site as Council propose dog runs

A County Derry councillor has stressed the need for 'cross-departmental conversations' as councillors approved plans for additional 'dog runs' within the Council area.

Causeway Coast and Glens Borough councillors discussed plans to introduce five new dog runs across the district at Tuesday's Environmental Services Committee meeting.

The fenced off areas where dog owners can let their dogs off the lead are planned for Christie Park, Coleraine, St John's Portstewart, Quay Road, Ballycastle and Westbay, Portrush and Roe Mill Recreation Grounds, Limavady.

Council plans to use chestnut paling fencing at each of the sites, at a total cost of approximately £10,000.

Some Limavady councillors urged caution on the Roe Mill site, with Alderman Alan Robinson drawing Council's attention to a number of groups with plans for the area.

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The move would result in a potential £30,000 saving.

“Has there been any cross-departmental conversation with L&D (Leisure and Development), given that is an L&D asset?,” he asked the Committee.

“There are a number of groups who have already expressed an interest in Roe Mill, who have big plans for various projects down there.

“What we do not want is for us to override their desire to have a number of sites down there. I want to stress tonight that there needs to be a cross-departmental conversation with L&D.

“In terms of Roe Mill, the site directly behind the current accessible play park would be an excellent site, but I don't know if that is part of the plans for those two groups.”

Cllr Brenda Chivers said a 'masterplan' was needed for the future of the Roe Mill area.

“There is a lot of interest there and a lot of great ideas, so all the departments need to sit down and draw up a plan of what fits,” she said.

Alderman Robinson welcomed the plans though, stressing they may help resolve some dog fouling issues in the area.

“Given there have been complaints about dog walkers using the pitches to allow their dogs to do what they want, this would be very welcome,” he said.

“It will hopefully deter people from using the football pitches.”

The proposal to proceed with the plans for the dog runs was passed and will go to next month's full council meeting for ratification.

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