A year after plans to erect security gates at Strangford quay were dropped following strong local opposition, residents have vowed to fight attempts to fence off a green area in the picturesque village which threatens the future of a 70-year-old summer festival. Marie Louise McCrory reports
THERE are fears that a summer festival which draws large crowds to a Co Down village could be under threat amid council plans to fence off a popular green.
Campaigners in Strangford have vowed to fight any attempt by council contractors to move on to the Lower Green in the scenic village.
Outraged community representatives claim the plan to erect 1.2 metre high metal railings - in a bespoke nautical design - around the green would mean the end of high-profile events which take place there every year and generate much-needed income for local businesses.
Controversy has been brewing since residents learned of Down District Council's proposals, and just days ago residents claim they were told contractors were due to move on to the site today to put a construction fence around the area where work will take place.
With the Strangford Summer Festival due to begin on Friday, they said it would potentially force the cancellation of the event.
The four-day festival, which draws large crowds of visitors and tourists, is made up of a series of events across a number of locations, including the Lower Green.
However, after The Irish News raised the issue with the council, it was revealed that any work will be put back until after the festival, which will allow the green to go ahead with an open air market and craft fair, pillow- fighting over water, giant hamster balls, a bungee run, live music and a disco and a bouncy castle.
Residents said any cancellations would have been "disaster".
The festival is not the only event to be staged at the Lower Green.
An annual funfair and mobile cinema also take up residence every year, in addition to a vintage car show, cycling events and a number of other festivals, all of which draw in visitors.
Should the Lower Green be fenced off, campaigners claim it would also prevent anyone from launching boats into the lough from the slip at the site.
Diarmuid Riordan, chairman of the Strangford Community Association, said tourism is "not enhanced by putting up fences".
He described the council's plans as "highly insensitive" and claimed residents were not consulted.
"There's no sensitivity to the maritime side of the village," he said.
Mr Riordan said the summer festival was "very important to the local people and local businesses because it brings a lot of tourism into the village".
"On several occasions, Strangford has been chosen for rescue services to land their helicopter on the Lower Green. It's one of the few places that has open access to the lough," he added.
Cadogan Enright, an independent councillor on Down District Council, also said the plans had caused "immense grief and controversy".
He vowed to "come down" to the Lower Green today and "physically prevent" any attempt by council contractors to move on to the site.
A spokeswoman for Down District Council said: "Full and proper consultation was carried out with community groups and the public in Strangford regarding the Mourne Coastal Route plans.
"No works or fencing of any description will be carried out prior to this year's village festival.
"There will be a 1.2m railing around part of the green, which will not impact, in any way, the launching of boats or any future festivals.
"In fact it will provide a safety barrier between those using the green and traffic using the ferry."
* CONCERN: Gary Laverty from Strangford Community Association with residents who are angry at the DRD's attempt to fence off the Lower Green in Strangford. Right, a programme for the Strangford annual regatta - part of the village festival - from 1961
PICTURE: Mal McCann