TWO local MLAs are singing off the same hymn sheet when it comes to the development of Ballykelly even though they come from different parties.
East Derry SDLP Assembly Member John Dallat has rowed in behind political rival DUP Assembly Member George Robinson to persuade the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Investment Arlene Foster to get involved in transforming the 800 acre site at Bally
kelly left vacant by the British Army.
Mr Dallat said: "I wrote to all the Ministers in the Executive on 28th June to spell out their plans for involvement in the future of Shackleton Barrack is and I have to say I was most disappointed with the response from Mrs Foster.
"She revealed that Invest NI has no plans to register an interest in the site and went on to claim that current landholding in the surrounding areas of Londonderry, Limavady and Coleraine is considered to be sufficient for the medium to long term needs of its clients in the North West.
She also claimed that it would be inappropriate for her to comment further as the disposal of former military sites is being taken forward by the Ministry of Defence."
He continued: "I have to say I was shocked by the negativity of Mrs Foster's letter. Clearly she didn't see the bigger picture, the opportunity to develop a new project which could have the capacity to transform the economic prosperity of this area which has been so badly hit by redundancies and lack of investment.
"Surely, I thought, if it is good for the Maze to be debated for so long why is Ballykelly ruled out for any potential development and why is it not gift-aided by the Treasury?
"I do hope that the support of her party colleague Assembly Member George Robinson will cause a rethink and perhaps generate a bit of strategic thinking on the issue of the future of this site.
"The last thing we want is for it to become an eyesore in the way the Maze has and we certainly don't want the same kind of controversy where everyone has a view but nothing gets done.
"The Limavady area needs the support of an energetic Assembly Executive which will drive forward the kind of developments which direct rule ministers could never do. I am backing Robinson all the way despite our political differences!"
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