New walking and cycling trails have been approved at Cairn Wood in North Down.
Ards and North Down councillors agreed planning permission at the national park at Craigantlet Road, Newtownards, during this week’s Planning Committee meeting.
The plan involves the extension and enhancement of existing trails to create new walking trails and a multi-use family cycle trail, with upgrades on other existing trails and associated information panels, waymarkers and new seating.
There will be two new multi-use trails, for walkers, bicycles and equestrian use, and two new trails solely for walkers. One of the walking trails will be for people with greater access needs.
There will be variations in the material used on the trails, and gradient variations, to provide varying levels of difficulty for different abilities.
The trails will remain unlit to ensure bats and nocturnal wildlife are not affected. Some trees will be removed to make way for the trails.
During consultation, the main concerns expressed were between walkers and cyclists and the impact on wildlife and ecology. The council officer told the committee that these “were all addressed within the application”. There were no objections to the plan from residents or statutory bodies.
The council planning report stated: “All material considerations have been assessed and the proposal complies with regional planning policy and is considered a good quality design which is sensitive to its countryside location.
“The proposal would not adversely affect residential amenity or biodiversity and will ensure the viability and sustainability of this outdoor recreation site within the Borough. Approval is therefore recommended.”
The project will receive funding from the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs.
DUP Councillor Alistair Cathcart said: “I think it is always a difficult balance when you are providing public access to nature, and protecting nature as well. I was very pleased with the conditions laid out, to preserve the place as much as possible, and even enhance it with the boxes being installed for animals. I look forward to visiting when it is completed.”
12 out of 15 councillors voted for the proposal, with one against and two abstentions.
The 73 hectare site has woodland that was once part of the Clandeboye Estate and is important locally for its conservation value and landscape features in North Down.
It rises to an altitude of 200m, and has a wide range of birds, and red squirrels in the wooded areas near the adjacent hill fort.
It has existing informal walking trails, but redevelopment started earlier this year with upgrading the car park and a new toilet block.
