BYCATHERINE COOK

LETTERKENNY Green Party Councillor, Neil Clarke, has called on property developer Lawrence Blake to withdraw comments made in reaction to his questioning of the construction of a bridge over the River Swilly.

The bridge is part of a development masterplan on lands owned by Mr Blake at Leck and Scribbly.

In an article in the Donegal News on August 3 Mr Blake expressed his annoyance at Cllr Clarke's sentiments that the new bridge would only be of benefit to the developer.

Speaking to the Donegal News this week, Cllr Clarke stated: "I am calling on Lawrence Blake to withdraw remarks he made about me recently in which he called me a moral coward. This is an attack on my character and I cannot accept it."

"I vote as the Green Party tells me how to. If Lawrence Blake wants to change minds then he will have to make a case to them. In fact, earlier this year myself and (Green Party Spokesperson) Frank Gallagher were standing on the Main Street and Lawrence Blake happened to walk past. I called him over and asked himself and Frank to swap phone numbers."

Cllr Clarke also denied claims by the developer that he made "no negative comments" at a workshop on the proposal last year or at a Council meeting earlier this month at which elected members agreed for the project to go to public consultation.

"I made my views on the issue of the change of location of this bridge known during a Council meeting which Lawrence Blake's architects made a presentation," said Cllr Clarke.

Cllr Clarke stated that he has also had no contact from Lawrence Blake following an objection he made to the proposed development of 211 houses at Leck which he stated Mr Blake was also involved with.

"I have met with Lawrence Blake twice and it is a blatant lie for him to say that he didn't meet with me. He is attacking my character and it is certainly not a case that I was afraid to meet with him. The last conversation I had with Lawrence Blake was before the elections in May and I haven't heard from him since."

"It is obviously the case that Mr Blake and I have different values on twelve acres of open space. The question we need to look at is the need for this bridge in regard to the need for open space. You can put a bridge anywhere."

Cllr Clarke continued: "Mr Blake stated that I had not provided any technical information in support of my objection to the construction of the bridge in that location. But likewise, Lawrence Blake has shown me no technical reasons why the bridge should be located there."

"I agree there is a need for at least one more bridge across the Swilly, in fact there is probably a need for three bridges but my point is that they must be of benefit to the motorist."

Cllr Clarke concluded: "Our party philosophy is to defend the environment and protect our open spaces which are under attack. If we don't do this then there's not much point in this policy being in place."

Mr Blake was unavailable for comment due to illness.