Fresh hope in battle to save Ahoghill Community Garden
24 August 2012
TUV MLA Jim Allister has welcomed confirmation from the Departmental Solicitors that at this stage no binding contract exists for the sale of surplus lands in Ahoghill, where a community garden has been created, to any private party.
Having recently met Council officials, along with the community representatives, who oversaw the creation of the garden, and Cllr Roy Gillespie, Jim Allister said it was good to secure confirmation that the situation on the land disposal was recoverable. "Now, the opportunity exists for the Council to step in and seek to secure this land, so that the beautiful garden can stay. I trust DRD, the current owners, will wholly co-operate and in accordance with normal rules on disposal of surplus public lands give priority to another public body over private commercial interests.
"It would be a devastating missed opportunity if this garden, created with such dedication and community effort, was lost. Thus, I strongly urge the Council to negotiate its purchase and for the Departmental solicitors, on behalf of DRD, to be co-operative in that venture."
