Magnus Vikings Chairman Responds To Opponents

Magnus Viking Chairman Philip Campbell speaking to Down News explained, “This project has already jumped through all the hoops. It has been approved  by the Planning Service two years ago and also by the Northern Ireland Environmental Agency. It has completed an Article 6 assessment, a Visual assessment, and an Archaeological assessment. As far as we are concerned this is a legitimate project and we totally reject the scaremongering by people opposed to this development. [caption id="attachment_27256" align="alignleft" width="267" caption="The Magnus Barelegs Vikings proposal does not include linking on to the shore front, but opponents of the scheme fear that it will compromise an environmentally sensitive site."][/caption] “This matter is already down and dusted. We have provided the Council with all the information already and have also given them a booklet about this. All we have done is comply with what the Planning Service and the Council have asked for. We have already spent thousands on development costs. ‘The Magnus Vikings are particularly upset at the antics of Jim Wells MLA who has been scaremongering over this. He has drawn a parallel with the St Patrick Centre which is completely false and misleading. We propose to re-create a longfort.  The St Patrick Centre building compared to these buildings of wooden constriction has a high rateable value. The running costs are again considerably less, although there will be some overheads. “This Viking village will not be and cannot be a drain on the ratepayers of Down Down District as some have argued. The Magnus Vikings Association have not asked Down District Council for any funding support and neither will they. “It is our plan than once planning permission is granted we will apply for a cocktail of funding from a number of agancies. The ratepayers will not and cannot be left with a white elephant on their hands.That should be clear from the terms of the lease. In fact the Magnus Vikings will re-instate the site in they were to fold up this project at any time in the future. The Council will require us to do so. “The Council will benefit from this project as it will receive a rental income from the lease. Our business plan is a piece of confidential and sensitive information and should not be discussed in the public domain.  Other groups who receive support from Down District Council through the year are not expected to go through this process of complete openness so why should we? It is really disheartening for our volunteers to be so depreciated by ctiticisms suggesting our business plan be open to public scrutiny. It has already been examined by Council officials who can present In Confidence if necessary. This is just not right and the Councillors as well as the public need to accept this point.” However, it was the criticism of Jim Wells MLA that Philip Campbell addressed next saying, “If Jim Wells wishes to find out more about the Magnus Vikings and get a true record of what we are about he should have the decency and come and talk to us and not make erroneous comments to the public.” Speaking specifically about one point of criticism on the sewage system, Phillip Campbell added that “there needs to be clarification over this. Again certain people using the press have  tried to make people believe a reed bed system will be the main sewage system when in fact it is the secondary system. The water through this system will literally be so pure that you will be able to drink it. We have already gone through the NIEA with this and a consultancy will be installing it. “In our opinion we think that Lecale Conservation have been using this reed bed issue as a scaremongering tactic. A yacht in Strangford Lough does more harm in Strangford Lough by emptying its bilge pump over the year that what the Viking village will ever do. “Therefore, the Strongsgiord Viking Experience, which this project is called, will contribute to local tourism, recreation, and will have a significant educational dimension. We are just disappointed that our local Councillors have been influenced by a senationalist media. For years we have contributed to local life and festivals. “Our councillors have nine years of information to draw on. The project is well documented and it should now be incumbent on the Councillors to study it carefully. There is no hidden agenda in our project. “We are willing to discuss the proposal with any responsible party. And certainly we would also welcome an opportunity to make a presentation first hand to Down District Council similar to that offered to our opponents to clarify exactly and accurately what we are actually proposing to remove any doubt and heresay” “]]>