Plans for a new £18 million visitors’ centre at the world famous Giant’s Causeway were given the go-ahead today.
Northern Ireland Environment minister Sammy Wilson granted planning permission for the National Trust owned facility at the world heritage site on the Co Antrim coast.
The previous centre for visitors to the extraordinary hexagonal stone formation was burnt down eight years ago and the efforts to replace it have been mired in controversy.
North Antrim millionaire developer Seymour Sweeney is currently taking legal action against Mr Wilson's department for rejecting his bid for a privately operating facility at the site.
Minister Wilson said the time had come for decisive action to rebuild the centre.
"Eight years have passed since the previous visitors' centre at the Giant's Causeway was burnt down," said the Democratic Unionist Assembly member.
"Given the Giant's Causeway's key role as Northern Ireland's premier tourist attraction, the public rightly expects some clear direction from a devolved minister on this matter.
"I have, therefore, weighed up all options including the merits of referring this application to the Planning Appeals Commission (PAC) either on its own or conjoined with a hearing into the previous unsuccessful application from a private developer.
"Neither of these options would be of any public benefit and would introduce further delay into the provision of the facility and lengthen the already unacceptably long period during which our top tourist attraction has been without a visitors' centre.
"Clearly this would not be in the public interest. Having considered all matters relevant to this case, I have authorised a Notice of Opinion to approve the National Trust application."
The National Trust submitted an application in June last year based on a design by the Dublin-based architects, Heneghan Peng who won an International Design Competition for a visitors' centre in 2005.
Mr Sweeney's application for a centre was submitted in February 2002 but was rejected in January last by the then Environment Minister Arlene Foster on the ground that it didn't fit in with the natural environment.
The National Trust director for Northern Ireland, Hilary McGrady welcomed the announcement.
"This is a very significant day for the Giant's Causeway, and the people of Northern Ireland," she said.
"This approval means that the Giant's Causeway will continue to be cared for for future generations. Equally today is about welcoming the potential to create new jobs within our economy, delivering employment for local communities, and enhancing tourism in Northern Ireland.
"Since 2007, the Trust has taken the lead in the development of new facilities at the Causeway with the agreement of Moyle Council. Today's announcement takes us a step further, however, there is still much to achieve. This project will continue to require the full support of all partners."
It is envisaged that the Trust's centre will be open to the public by 2011.
PA