New management plan for Sperrins Partnership

THE Sperrins Partnership has announced new details for the development of the first Sperrin Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) Management Plan.

The plan, an extension of work conducted through the ‘Sperrins Future Search initiative in 2017 Reaching New Heights, Realising Our Potential’ will be developed by Sperrins Partnership in consultation with all key partners on behalf of Northern Ireland Environment Agency. Placing local communities at the centre of its development, the aim of the plan is to provide guidance on a shared vision for safeguarding and caring for the Sperrins. It will outline strategies, priorities and mechanisms for protecting, promoting and enhancing the special features of the landscape, related heritage and culture as well as boost nature recovery. A guideline framework for action will recognise and support efforts of partners in line with their own remits and resources.

It will also help guide efforts to conserve, enhance, and support, the special character of Sperrin AONB and its natural, built, and cultural heritage.

An extensive consultation exercise is now underway, and a number of public events will take place across council areas throughout May and June.

Chair of Sperrins Partnership, Cllr Sean Clarke, said, “This will be the first management plan for the Sperrins following 56 years since it was originally designated by the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA) as a special landscape, back in 1968. The management plan will be developed on behalf of DAERA and Northern Ireland Environment Agency (NIEA) through extensive consultation with key stakeholders and local communities with the aim to identify the issues facing the area’s exceptional natural environment, and to help ensure that everyone who lives, works or visits can learn from and enjoy the place sustainably.”

Aditionally, Sinn Féin councillor Fergal Leonard is encouraging the local community to have their say at to upcoming events.

He said, ““I am delighted that the draft plan is now ready to go out to consultation. I would encourage the local community to have your say and help shape the final plan by attending either of these two upcoming public consultation events: Tuesday May 28 at Glenelly House, Plumbridge from 12noon to 2pm and Thursday May 30 at Learmount Resource Centre, Park from 6.30pm to 8.30pm.”

l For further information or to get involved in the development of the Sperrin Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) Management Plan visit https://sperrinspartnership project.com/