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Aquarium proposed for Ned’s Point
Fort
14.10.08
by Damian Dowds, Inishowen Independent
AN AMBITIOUS plan for the redevelopment of Ned’s
Point Fort as a major tourist attraction was
presented at last week’s Buncrana Town Council
meeting.
Terry Coyle, project manager of the North West Film
Archive at the Nerve Centre in Derry, made a
presentation to councillors that mapped out
ambitious plans for the old fort, including the
development of a small aquarium, the utilisation of
existing trails and nature walks, the creation of
multi-media displays and an education centre for
local schools. The proposals also contain a café and
rest point and facilities for visiting bird
watchers.
The plans were drawn up by Mr Coyle and John Quinn
of ASI architects in Derry. |
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Describing Ned’s Point
potential to become an “A-one world class model for
how tourism should operate in the 21 century”, Mr
Coyle said that travel companies had indicated a
willingness to add Buncrana to their list of
destinations should such a centre be developed.
Councillors were interested in and supportive of the
proposals, |
but admitted that
issues regarding leasing the fort and the type of
entity formed to run such a centre would have to be
further discussed. The fort has been identified as
an ‘opportunity site’ in the Buncrana and environs
development plan 2008-14.
Council officials suggested that Mr Coyle seek
funding from the county enterprise board to carry
out a feasibility study.
The fort at Ned’s Point was built by the British
navy in 1812 and remodelled in 1896. Walkways
leading to and from the fort are popular with locals
and visitors alike and a survey carried out by Mr
Coyle found that up to 240 people per hour passed by
the fort at weekends.
However, the fort and surrounding area have also
become notorious for anti-social activities and a
delegation of residents from Porthaw met with the
council 18 months ago to outline the scale of the
problem. |
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