Minister reaffirms transfer of forest park to new council

Minister reaffirms transfer of forest park to new council

8 July 2015

THE Department of Agriculture has reaffirmed its commitment to transfer responsibility for recreation and tourism projects at Castlewellan forest park to Newry, Mourne and Down 

Council.

The minister in charge, Michelle O’Neill, said her department has worked steadily to develop partnership arrangements with local authorities and other outdoor recreation providers to ensure that opportunities for progress are realised.

She said an agreement signed with the former Down Council provided the local authority with opportunities to take forward recreation developments at Castlewellan forest park.

“This approach has been very successful, leading to the construction of new and improved outdoor recreation facilities at the park which have become very popular with tourists and residents alike,” said Miss O’Neill.

The minister confirmed her department will continue to work closely with local council officers to assist in the development of local authority-led recreation and tourism projects that can be sustained within a forest environment.

In a letter to councillor Patrick Clarke she explained the timescale associated with the development or transfer of recreation facilities within Castlewellan Forest Park will be in line with Newry, Mourne and Down Council’s “appetite and commitment.”

Minister O’Neill said Forest Service officials will continue to liaise closely with council officers to ensure opportunities for progress are realised.

Councillor Clarke has welcomed the minister’s response and is pleased work is continuing to pave the way for Newry, Mourne and Down Council to finally taking over full responsibility and running of the forest park and its surrounding amenities.

He described the eventual transfer of responsibility as a “key economic tourism and leisure driver for both Castlewellan and the wider Mourne and Down region.”

Councillor Clarke said the former Down Council invested a lot of time negotiating with the government department and Forest Service to pave the way for the takeover, with time invested in developing plans and lodging funding applications to make the forest park a major tourism and leisure attraction.

“I’m pleased with Minister O’Neill’s commitment to work closely with the new super council to assist with the development of local authority-led recreation and tourism projects that can be sustained within a forest environment. The agreement signed with the old Down Council provides the new council with added opportunities to take forward recreation developments,” he said.

Councillor Clarke added: “With tourism a key area identified as an economic driver for the new council area, I will continue to lobby both the Department of Agriculture, Forest Service and the new council’s head of enterprise, regeneration and tourism to ensure the Castlewellan park becomes one of the premier tourism and recreation attractions within Ireland.

“I look forward to all the various agencies involved to continue working together on the transfer of the forest park and hope that subject to the necessary commitment of grant funding required, all proposed plans to improve the park will be delivered to help stimulate tourism and economic benefits to Castlewellan and the wider Mourne region.”