Council rejects criticism of Sunken Gardens

But the Council has rejected the criticism and says the area is planted with perennials and the area is cleaned several times a day.

“I have found it necessary to bring the disgraceful state of the Sunken Garden in the centre of Market Square to the attention of the Council,” said Mr Crawford. “The beds are covered by weeds and uncollected litter.

“It is a huge eyesore in a part of the city which is already suffering from far too many closed premises.

“It seems the Council is incapable of maintaining this area in an acceptable manner and perhaps it will be necessary to appoint outside contractors to do the job,” he concluded.

But a spokesperson for the council insisted the area was maintained on a regular basis.

“Lisburn City Council has no record of any recent complaints with regard to the Sunken Garden area of Market Square,” she said.

“The Council would like to clarify that the plants in the Sunken Garden area are perennials and not weeds. There is a mixture of Geranium Endressii, which flower pink, and Crodosmia Lucifer, which flower red, planted in this location.

“With regards to litter Council staff regularly clean the area several times a day for six days of the week.

“Lisburn City Council and Lisburn City Centre Management have recently concluded a consultation exercise with city centre stakeholders regarding the enhancement of this public space through implementation of a high quality public realm project and a delegation from the two organisations recently met with the Minister for Social Development regarding this scheme.

“The Council would request that anyone who may have a concern about the area contact the Council directly,” she concluded.

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