PLANS FOR MAGHERAMORNE WIN SUSTAINABLE PLANNING AWARD
12-4-11

Good news. Our plans for the regeneration of the Magheramorne site recently took top spot in the Sustainable Communities and Regeneration category of the 2011 Sustainable Planning Awards NI competition sponsored by the Northern Ireland Royal Town Planning Institute and the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds.

The judges, making their comments at a ceremony at Stormont, particularly praised the intention to establish what is likely to be only the fifth WWF-endorsed One Planet Living community in the world and the way in which the local community has been engaged in the formulation of the redevelopment plans from the outset.

The award was made jointly to Lafarge (as promoters of the project), David Lock Associates (who have led the consultant team and prepared the master plan) and Turley Associates (who have provided local town planning services from their Belfast Office and coordinated the assessment of the environmental impact of the proposal).

On receiving the award, Lloyd McInally, Lafarge project manager for the Magheramorne development, said: "After nine years of intensive work on the project, it is very pleasing to receive this award. From the outset, we have worked with the local community and uniquely in my experience have had virtually unanimous support from them for what will be a very special example of sustainable development. This award is recognition of our efforts and of our vision for the site, and helps reinforce our commitment to turning the vision into reality.

"At one time, in the heydays of lime and cement production, Magheramorne was a well-known location. The fascinating and unique blend of eco-friendly proposals included in our master plan, as recognised by the judges, are set to put Magheramorne back on the map of Ireland – economically, as a destination and as a landmark development – in a way that few people could have previously imagined.

"Discussions are continuing with developers who might like to join us in bringing this very special project about and we hope to be able to report news on this front in the not too distant future."

[Left to right] Jim Urwin (David Lock Associates), Lloyd McInally (Lafarge) and Michael Gordon (Turley Associates) receive the Sustainable Planning Award
at the Stormont ceremony.