Plans approved for Causeway visitors' centre

Plans for a new £18m (€19m) visitors’ centre at the world famous Giant’s Causeway were given the go-ahead today.

The North's Environment Minister Sammy Wilson granted planning permission for the National Trust-owned facility at the world heritage site on the Co Antrim coast.

The previous centre for visitors to the extraordinary hexagonal stone formation was burnt down eight years ago and the efforts to replace it have been mired in controversy.

North Antrim millionaire developer Seymour Sweeney is currently taking legal action against Mr Wilson’s department for rejecting his bid for a privately-operated facility at the site.

Minister Wilson said the time had come for decisive action to rebuild the centre.