Moves on developing outdoor activities

Members of the committee were advised Council purchased roughly 37 acres of land between the Mullagh Road and Tobermore Road for economic development and regeneration purposes in January of this year.

The purchase price is deemed commercailly sensitive information and, as such, has not been made public.

A significant portion of this land is for the provision of recreational green space and officers have recommended the creation of a master plan to provide for outline concept development proposals.

These proposals will, committee members were assured, be steered by further community consultations across a wide range of local stake-holders and user groups.

The cost of this master plan scheme is estimated to be £15,000 and will be taken from Council’s Capital Programme 2020-2024.

s, Councillor Cora Corry proposed the committee approves the procurement of a design team for the master plan and described it as “very welcome news for Maghera”.

“The walled garden has been a huge success, it is a well loved and well used feature now in Maghera,” said the Sinn Fein councillor.

“It has also increased the appetite for further recreational development of outdoor and green space in Maghera.

“Getting outdoors has been of huge importance in this past year as we have realised how important it is to both our mental and physical health.

“This is a very exciting project and I look forward to seeing it develop.”

Councillor Kyle Black seconded the proposal and noted the appetite within the community for further green space to be provided.

“I believe the progress that has been made in securing this land shows we have been listening to the community,” said the DUP councillor.

“I trust that this is the next step in the delivery of what will be a great amenity for the people of Maghera and the surrounding areas.”

SDLP councillor, Martin Kearney, thanked council officers for their efforts getting the project to this stage and said it would, he hoped, go along way “to satisfying all needs and interests”.

“I look forward to the next phase of this development,” said Cllr Kearney. “These are very exciting times for the people of Maghera and the surrounding areas.”

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