Orange Order applauded for its cooperation on tree cutting at Brownlow House

Some trees had been chopped back a number of years ago but others continued to block the sun for some Oakleigh Heights’ residents.

Also the deluge of leaves created a health hazzard at their homes.

Following years of working closely together, Cllr Declan McAlinden worked with UUP Cllr Kyle Savage and Mr David Martin, manager of Brownlow House and representing the Orange Orde. All agreed a way forward that meets the needs of both communities.

Cllr McAlinden said: “For many years, despite attempts to improve the situation by the owners of Brownlow House by facing and topping the trees at the boundary adjacent to Oakleigh Heights was only ever a temporary solution.

“In the Autumn of 2019, work began to restore the daylight to the residents’ homes after Brownlow House agreed to cut back the trees. Unfortunately, the pandemic and the recommendation of not cutting tress during nesting season has put a delay to the completion of the job.

“Other political representatives were happy to take pictures and call for them to be removed, but we in the SDLP are happy to ‘put our hand across the fence’ to seek a resolution. We will not be caught sitting on our hands, we do it by embracing the politics of partnership and cooperation.

“The task to accommodate our communities in all their difference and diversity falls to our generation of political leaders. That’s our shared responsibility and we’re committed to putting in the hard yards to make it happen.

“I want to express my thanks to both Cllr Kyle Savage, Mr David Martin and the committee of Brownlow House for their continued commitment on this issue and I hope to build on our good working relationship for the common good of everyone.

SDLP Lurgan Councillor Ciaran Toman said: “The cost of cutting the tress down fall at the expense of the landowner in Brownlow House and it could have had proved prohibitive but work is near completion.

“This has been a generous gesture from Mr Martin and Brownlow House who are also keen to share the beauty of Brownlow House to the residents in North Lurgan and further afield.

“I personally would like to thank Brownlow House who have brought this process to a safe a satisfactory conclusion that serves the interests of everyone.”

Ulster Unionist Cllr Kyle Savage said: “I am delighted to work with David and Declan to find a resolution to this issue that has been going on for the last few years.

“In doing this we are opening up the beauty of Brownlow House for everyone to see in the town.

“Brownlow House is the jewel in the crown of Lurgan and we want to take every opportunity to showcase that,” said Cllr Savage.

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