From: Date: To: Enterprise, Trade ee and Investment warn gt Ciaran McGarrity Tourism Special Projects 45 November 2006 1. Maria Eagle MP (Cleared ME 46 11 06) 2. David Hanson MP DETI SUB 392/206: Issue: Giant's Causeway — New Visitors Centre. Objective: To: 1) update you on project progress; and ii) provide part-input for a David Hanson response to lan Paisley Jnr; Timing Desk Immediate FO! implications: Fully disclosable Presentational issues Recommendation: That you (i) note progress update as detailed at Annex A; and (ii) agree the part input for Minister Hanson's response, as drafted at Annex C. Background Causeway Upd: 4 Although it has taken longer that we had hoped for we have secured key stakeholders agreement to governments proposal for the new visitor centre. | have attached at Annex A, a brief summary including a synopsis of the key issues. Further briefing, including, if you wish, a presentation from the architect, ‘will follow later this month once we have received detailed cost estimates from Important. There is considerable public and political interest in the Causeway Project. There are conflicting ideas of what is required, in terms of visitor facilities, at the Giant's Causeway. The challenge is to strike a balance between economic and environmental considerations.the project team. However, | would draw to your attention at this stage a number of key points, @ estimated costs have risen from £14.0 million to £19.5 million; (i planning application for the centre will be submitted in January 2007; (ii) estimated completion of the new centre is late spring 2009 ( assuming planning approval in July 2007 and final Ministerial approval (following Green Book appraisal) in September 2007); and (v) there are planning ‘issues’ regarding access and provision of additional car parking in the immediate vicinity of the Giant's Causeway. Background to part input to Minister Hanson’s letter 2. In recent political discussions lan Paisley Jnr made representations on a number of constituency matters in North Antrim, One of these concerns the Giant's Causeway. Minister Hanson has been asked to respond on these matters and has sought an agreed input from DOE and DET|. DOE has subsequently advised that it will not be making any contribution Officials are well aware of Mr Paisley’s views on the Government's proposal to build a new visitor centre at the Giant's Causeway. Over the last 3 or 4 years we have met him and one of his constituents, Mr Seymour Sweeney, a local property developer, on many occasions , most recently on 11 October 2008. Mr Sweeney has significant land holdings in the immediate vicinity of the Giant's Causeway and has ambitious plans to develop them. Mr Paisley does not support Government's proposals. Rather he would like the Government to support an alternative development (50% bigger than ours) proposed by Mr Seymour Sweeney. Mr Paisley is aware however that Mr ‘Sweeney's proposal does not enjoy the support of the key stakeholders and consequently he is aware of the dilemma this causes. The lack of stakeholder support for Mr Sweeney's proposal is the primary reason Ministers became involved in 2003 Mr Sweeney's proposal is currently with Planning Service and a determination is ‘expected soon. It should be noted that if Planning Service approve his application and if he manages to secure stakeholder support, governments project will most likely fall, as the Giant's Causeway will not be able to sustain in either environmental or more importantly economic terms two visitor centres. In view of the importance of the impending planning decision, it is advised that as this stage, Ministers should not make any specific concessions to Mr Paisley other than to offer to work closely with Mr Sweeney on any ideas he might have for complementary development or to improve road access to the new Centre.7. Full briefing on the Causeway issue, including advice on the implications of acceding to Mr Paisley’s request, was recently provided to Minister Hanson. A copy of that briefing is attached at Annex B. 8. | suggest that in responding to Mr Paisley, Ministers explain that; a the Government's objective is to deliver an environmentally and economically sustainable world class visitor centre at the Giant's Causeway; ji) the design, selected following an international competition and agreed by the key stakeholders, offers the best opportunity of delivering this objective; iy there are significant issues to be addressed including access and car parking and so we are keen to continue to work with all stakeholders to resolve these issues; (w) officials are awaiting complementary development proposals from Mr ‘Sweeney which could address some of the concerns that Mr Paisley has raised A part input along the lines of the above is attached at Annex C for your approval. Recommendation 9, That you (i) note progress update; and ; (ji) agree the attached part-input CIARAN McGARRITY [signed] ce Stephen Quinn Witfie Hamilton Noe! Comick Alan Clarke NITB Graham Seymour EHS Paul Brunton