Unprecedented Support
for Proposals
8-9-06

Sometimes it pays to advertise. In advance of the three public exhibitions we held last October, we posted 1,900 invitations to homes in the Magheramorne, Glynn and Islandmagee areas. 200 posters were displayed locally and notices placed in the local press.

Maureen Hanvey of Islandmagee & District Conservation
Society being interviewed by Jamie Delargy of Ulster TV

The result was a considerable number of visitors to our exhibitions. We did not keep count, but what we do know is that an amazing number, 270, took the time and trouble to write down their views on our proposals.

Of these, six simply made suggestions on points of detail. The rest were comments of support, a few including ideas as to how the scheme could be made even better. Uniquely in our experience of major projects, there were no objections – not one - amongst the 270 written comments.

The most frequently asked question at the exhibitions was probably, how soon can it all happen? Our answer now, as it was then, is that it depends largely on how quickly our planning application is processed. If we were to get a speedy decision, and that decision is favourable, we would hope to start some works on site during 2008 if at all possible.

For those who were not able to make it to our exhibitions or who did not obtain one of the 16-page newsletters we published and circulated at the same time, there was good coverage of our proposals by the media, including reports on both main television channels. Our website – www.magworks.info - which became live on the day the first exhibition opened, had an impressive 750+ ‘hits’ during its first few weeks.

Members of the public viewing the exhibition of our
proposals at the Magheramorne Social & Sailing Club.