The Minister at the Department of Agriculture Environment and Rural Affairs, Andrew Muir, has formally confirmed the funding for Ards and North Down Borough Council to redevelop Whitespots Country Park. The Bangor Road beauty spot outside Newtownards became a public park in 1995, at the site of 18th and 19th century lead mines, and its historic windmill more recently became an important stop on the Game of Thrones trail, as a memorable location from season three of the hit HBO fantasy drama. A portion of the park is designated as an Area of Special Scientific Interest in recognition of the site’s mineralogy.
It playeda pivotal role in Ireland’s mining heritage. The park is already popular with local walkers, providing beautiful views towards Scrabo and the Peninsula. In August the council will be holding two “bio-blitz” events allowing the community to join ecologists at the park and learn more about the native species on site and how to identify them.
A bat night walk will be held in September. During a visit to the redevelopment site at Whitespots, Mer Muir said: “This investment of over £8.5m to redevelop this parkland will not only transform the existing park but will also extend it to develop the derelict industrial site of the lead mines into an active community space for the people of Ards and North Down and visitors alike.
“This project will provide a significant capital injection in the area and will develop our local environment to provide much needed g.