IN order to advance ambitious plans to create a family-friendly park linking the communities of Ederney and Kesh, it has been recommended that Fermanagh and Omagh District Council approve the execution of a 21-year lease agreement with the project’s lead partner.

A report presented to the February meeting of the local authority’s Regeneration and Community Committee gave members an update on the North Fermanagh Valley Park Project, which aims to transform sites at Drumkeen in Ederney and the former Duke of Westminster school outside Kesh into a combined family-friendly park linking the two communities through sport, education and recreation.

Ederney Community Development Trust is the lead partner in the project, which also involves Kesh Community Development Association. Funding for the multi-million pound project, which will be managed by the Community Foundation for Northern Ireland (CFNI), is being provided by the Big Lottery Fund.

Ederney Community Development Association has been awarded one of only three Flagship grants in Northern Ireland, to the value of £1 million.

The report presented to the committee meeting stated that a letter sent by CFNI advised that, in order to allow the development of the project, it was requested that the local council approve a 21-year lease between itself and Ederney Community Development Trust.

Under the proposed terms of the lease, a restrictive clause will be included to ensure that the grounds are to be used as a sports and community recreational area and an open space and parkland use for all.

A further clause will prevent any new buildings, erections or additional works being undertaken without the consent of Fermanagh and Omagh District Council.

The report concluded: “It is recommended that the Council approves the execution of the Lease Agreement.”