In November 2017, JC Campbell were granted planning permission to develop their site next to Rostrevor Oakwood (Special Area of Conservation and National Nature Reserve). The plans include a 70-bed nursing home, 41 two/three bedroom apartments, a 40-car underground car park and associated site works within their 2.5 acre site, roughly the size of one and a half football pitches. The Planning Department recommended refusal for this development in four separate reports due to its inappropriate scale, form and density in relation to the special character of the Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, and that if permitted the development would be detrimental to the townscape of Rostrevor. Despite the strength of these arguments, six councillors voted to approve this planning application based on misleading information regarding environmental impacts, jobs, building heights, impacts on traffic, resident wildlife and Public Right of Ways. Rostrevor's natural environment encompasses many values, which extend beyond the merely economic. It holds cultural, historical, spiritual and traditional values, and it is for these reasons we believe it must be protected. JC Campbell have made it clear they will not negotiate or compromise on their development plans, so the only option available to protect Rostrevor's nature is to pursue a Judicial Review to legally challenge the Council's decision to approve planning permission. A Judicial Review requires a considerable investment of time and money but we believe our natural heritage is worth fighting for! For more information, please see: https://www.facebook.com/RARE-Rostrevor-Action-Respecting-the-Environment-303834406659032/