Larchfield Estate transforms the ‘Old Piggery’ thanks to rural fund

Rural Affairs Minister Edwin Poots MLA has officially opened a £117,000 redevelopment project on the Larchfield Estate.
By Julie-Ann Spence
Published 4th Nov 2020, 12:24 BST
Pictured at the ‘Old Piggery’ are (from Left-right) Sarah Mackie and Gavin Mackie, owners of Larchfield Estate, Alderman Allan Ewart MBE, Chair of Lagan Rural Partnership, DAERA Minister Edwin Poots MLA and Alderman Jim Dillon MBE, Development Committee Chairman of Lisburn and Castlereagh City Council. Photo Simon Graham Photography.Pictured at the ‘Old Piggery’ are (from Left-right) Sarah Mackie and Gavin Mackie, owners of Larchfield Estate, Alderman Allan Ewart MBE, Chair of Lagan Rural Partnership, DAERA Minister Edwin Poots MLA and Alderman Jim Dillon MBE, Development Committee Chairman of Lisburn and Castlereagh City Council. Photo Simon Graham Photography.
Pictured at the ‘Old Piggery’ are (from Left-right) Sarah Mackie and Gavin Mackie, owners of Larchfield Estate, Alderman Allan Ewart MBE, Chair of Lagan Rural Partnership, DAERA Minister Edwin Poots MLA and Alderman Jim Dillon MBE, Development Committee Chairman of Lisburn and Castlereagh City Council. Photo Simon Graham Photography.

Sarah and Gavin Mackie, the owners of Larchfield Estate, redeveloped the ‘Old Piggery’ following an award of £50,000 through the Rural Business Investment Scheme under the LEADER element of the NI Rural Development Programme (RDP) 2014-2020.

The project, which was administered by Lagan Rural Partnership (LRP) Local Action Group, enabled the redevelopment of an existing old building and landscaping of the surrounds to meet the growing demand for a unique, exclusive location for corporate events and special celebrations.

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“Larchfield Estate has a long history in this local area and in recent years has become well renowned as a leading wedding and corporate event venue within Northern Ireland,” said Mr Poots. “The funding invested into the redevelopment of the ‘Old Piggery’, together with match funding from Larchfield Estate, has enabled the creation of a new facility which will encourage more guests to come along and enjoy the enhanced experiences that will be on offer. Across the Lisburn and Castlereagh City Council area the Lagan Rural Partnership Local Action Group has invested over £2.6million of LEADER funding in rural initiatives and I’d like to pay tribute to those Directors of the Local Action Group who give up of their time freely to implement rural development in their local area. Without them my Department could not invest this money.”

Owners Gavin and Sarah Mackie said “Larchfield Estate is a place of exceptional heritage and beauty, a family home and a business we are passionate about. We are delighted to welcome Minster Poots and delegates from both his office and Lisburn and Castlereagh City Council to mark the redevelopment.”

Related topics:Edwin Poots MLA