§ Lord Kilclooneyasked Her Majesty's Government:
(a) what is the population of Downpatrick and of Newtownards;
(b) at which location in each of these towns the new Down/Ards Area Plan is on display; and
(c) whether the display complies with the requirement of equal opportunity for the residents of both towns to be consulted and comment upon this area plan. [HL961]
§ Lord Williams of MostynThe population of Newtownards at the 1991 census was 24,300; that of Downpatrick was 10,260. The figures from the 2001 census are not yet available for the towns.
The planning service mounted manned displays for seven days following the launch of the draft plan in both Newtownards and Downpatrick as follows:
ARDS ARTS CENTRE/TOWN HALL, CONWAY SQUARE, NEWTOWNARDS
- Tuesday 10 December 2002 2.00 pm–8.00 pm
- Wednesday 11 December 2002 10.00 am–8.00 pm
- Thursday 12 December 2002 2.00 pm–8.00 pm
ST. PATRICKS CENTRE, LOWER MARKET STREET, DOWNPATRICK
- Tuesday 10 December 2002 2.00 pm–8.00 pm
- Wednesday 11 December 2002 10.00 am–8.00 pm
- Thursday 12 December 2002 2.00 pm–8.00 pm
The draft plan is currently on display at the Ards Borough Council Offices, 2 Church Street, Newtownards and at the Divisional Planning Office, Rathkeltair House, Market Street, Downpatrick.
The Department is satisfied that the manned display which took place immediately following the publication of the draft plan (as detailed above) and the ongoing (unmanned display) as detailed above comply with the requirements of providing equal opportunities for the residents of both towns to view and comment on the draft plan.