Following a community campaign that spanned years, Lough Neagh Partnership has secured a historic lease on peatlands in Co Tyrone.
The Washingbay site was once owned by Dungannon ’s Royal School with a lease dating back to the reign of King James I and the Plantation of Ulster.
But in a landmark deal with the Department of Education, the Derrytresk and Derryloughan School Lands lease has now been transferred to LNP for the next 20 years. It will allow the group to maintain and enhance the natural habitat.
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Strategic Manager of Lough Neagh Partnership, Gerry Darby, said: “This is a momentous day for Lough Neagh Partnership and those from the local community who have worked tirelessly to secure the lands for the greater good of this unique rich cultural and natural habitat.
“This new 20 year lease will enable Lough Neagh Partnership, working with the local community, to carry out future site management, conservation activities and development works, essential to maintaining and enhancing the natural habitat.
“Special praise must be given to the National Lottery Heritage Fund and the Northern Ireland Environment Agency who provided funds to help with local community engagement process and the drawing up of restoration plans.”
Sinn Fein MLA, Michelle O’Neill, said: “It’s a real pleasure to witness this significant ceremony which sees the land lease transfer to Lough Neagh Partnership.
“I have been part of the lobbying efforts to secure the transfer of this land and am only too aware that a conservation body like Lough Neagh Partnership will be committed to working closely with the Derrytresk and Derryloughan community in the coming years to protect this part of the loughshore.
“There is immense potential for the school lands to link into the new Green Growth Strategy to help tackle climate change in a very practical way right here in Washing Bay.
“Theme five of the new Peace Plus programme has also identified a number of opportunities to restore protected sites like the school lands and to try and connect them to wider nature networks and corridors and I will endeavour to support any applications or proposals made to this programme.
“The transfer of this lease is also a great example of a community based asset transfer and there is no reason why this model cannot be assigned to other larger projects such as the transfer of the bed and the soil of Lough Neagh itself, to a more local community or public based body.
“This is something that I have lobbied for in the past and I will continue to support and work with stakeholders to try and achieve.
“It truly is an historic day for everyone involved in this lease transfer and I wish the Lough Neagh Partnership every success in developing the land for the future.”
Chair of Mid Ulster District Council, Cllr Cora Corry added: “Mid Ulster District Council is fully supportive of this project due to the importance of the peatlands and bogs in this area and the protection offered to the habitat that lives here.
“I believe this patchwork of peatland is now in good hands and I wish Lough Neagh Partnership well in its endeavours to protect the area for future generations.”
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