Birdwatch Ireland Outing for Early October

Posted on September 24, 2007 | Filed Under Environment, Events

Birdwatch Ireland are organising an event for Sunday, 7th October. The plan currently is to meet at 1.30pm at the end of the Old Airport Road (at the shoreline).

Trevor from Birdwatch Ireland informs us that we might see some of the following species on the day : Brent Geese, Oystercatchers, Redshank, Greenshank, Ringed Plover, Mallard, Wigeon, Turnstones, Dunlin, Red Breasted Mergansers, common Gull, Great Black Blacked Gull as well as the possibility of Golden Plover, Lapwing, Peregrine Falcon and other birds of Prey.

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Press Release : Sligo Airport fail to consult locally on runway proposals

Posted on September 17, 2007 | Filed Under Press Releases

Sligo Airport accused of failure to consult locally on Runway Proposals

Strandhill community group Dorrin’s and Cumeen Conservation Group express dismay at the total lack of consultation, yet again, in relation to the proposal to extend the runway at Sligo Airport

In January of this year Sligo Airport made a controversial application for planning permission to construct a huge platform on Dorrin’s Strand, on which to build a 259m runway extension. Recognising the devastating impact this could have on residents, the ecology, amenity value and employment in the area, a number of public meetings were held in Strandhill in January and February ’07 at which large scale public concerns were voiced.

Following publication of the planning application, some seventy objections were lodged with Sligo County Council both by members of the public and by commercial interests threatened by the proposals.

Sligo County Council planners wrote to Sligo Airport on 7th March, seeking extensive additional information from the Airport. It is highly regrettable that during the six months between 7th March to 7th September 07 the Airport management or their consultants have not seen fit to consult with the local community to discuss their concerns and seek agreed solutions.

It seems that the airport authorities have made a firm decision that they want to build the runway extension out on to Dorrin’s Strand and devastate an area of great environmental and commercial importance.

Sligo Airport although nominally a private company is in large measure funded by taxpayer’s money. All of the capital expenditure is funded by grant aid from Dept of Transport and the whole passenger service operation is heavily subsidised through the public service obligation grants also from Dept of Transport. The Board of Directors of Sligo Airport includes three County Councillors, three Sligo Borough Councillors and the County Manager.

In effect these seven people control the Board. As local citizens we rely on our elected representatives to protect our rights, our local heritage and our environment. We are concerned that Sligo County and Borough members of the board would remain impartial in this debate and take note of our very serious concerns.

The primary concerns of the community are the serious impact on environment and wildlife, infringement on designated protected areas, loss of visual amenity, loss of access by local citizens, massive disturbance during construction, destruction of a shell fish industry and potential damage to the access causeway to Coney Island.

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