There has been a call for the Briitsh army’s firing range at Magilligan in Co Derry to be “decomissioned” as it is hindering the potential of tourism in the North West.
The call has come from East Derry MLA who was speaking after being informed by the Office of the First and Deputy First Minister that they had made no representatiions to the Ministry of Defence in respect of the decommissioning of land at Magilligan.
The SDLP Assembly member said the ability the ability of the North West to benefit from the success of initiatives such as the Wild Atlantic Way was being compromised by the continued presence of an firing range at Magilligan.
Pointing out there had been indications given some years ago that the range would be moved, Mr Dallat said efforts to promote tourism in the region was being made more difficult while it remained in operation.
Mr Dallat said: “Promises were made to me several years ago that the Ministry of Defence would move these activities to Britain but for some unexplained reasons they are still there. The fact that the OFMDFM has made no representations is all the more disappointing.
“In recent times European funding has been awarded to Limavady Borough Council for improving tourism amenities in the Magilligan area, something which I welcome, but this does not fit in well with huge areas of land permanently out of bounds to visitors.”
Mr Dallat concluded: “I want to see an end to all the outward signs of a military past which is out of harmony with a need to secure the future of the Foyle Ferry Service in that area and develop other tourism infrastructure for the future which will generate and secure well-paid jobs for generations to come.”
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