A privately funded proposal for a visitor’s centre at Northern Ireland’s top tourist attraction is to be backed by Environment Minister Arlene Foster.

Ms Foster, in a statement, said she was "of a mind to approve" Seaport Investment's planning application for the visitors centre at the Giant’s Causeway.

Commenting on the news, Tourism Minister Nigel Dodds said he wants to see a world class visitors facility, worthy of its surroundings.

"The Giant’s Causeway needs and deserves world class visitor facilities and I would encourage all the key local stakeholders to work together to help achieve that prize," Mr Dodds said. "I welcome the fact that Minister Foster has made her views known on the private sector application for a new visitor centre."

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The Minister went on to explain what this decision meant for the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Investment and the Northern Ireland Tourist Boards' proposals for developing a visitor centre, saying: "The Department and NITB became involved as a potential developer of last resort. This was at the request of the key stakeholders who were unable, over an extended period of time, to reach agreement."

He concluded: “It would not be a prudent use of taxpayers' money to proceed further in the circumstances, given Minister Fosters’ position on the private sector planning application. The DETI/NITB project would cost in excess of £21 million.

"The people of Northern Ireland will no doubt look to all local stakeholders to work constructively to deliver the facilities expected by visitors to this magnificent tourism asset."

The Giant’s Causeway, known for its polygonal columns of layered basalt is the only World Heritage Site in Northern Ireland and attracts around 500,000 visitors a year.

(JM)