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16/11/2004
National Trust purchase Belfast mountain site
The National Trust has purchased Divis and Black Mountain from the Ministry of Defence, it was confirmed today.
The land, which lies on the fringes of north and west Belfast, was purchased at a cost of £3 million, with help in the form of a £600,000 grant from the DOE Environment and Heritage Service.
Commenting on the purchase, Richard Rogers, Chief Executive of the DOE Environment and Heritage Service, said: “The National Trust has an excellent track record in the protection and management of sites, which have outstanding landscape and conservation values.
“This application met many of the objectives of our Natural Heritage Grant Programme including nature conservation, landscape protection, public access and great opportunities for community involvement and education.”
The land, almost 1,500 acres of Divis Mountain, and a large portion of Black Mountain, has great archaeological significance as well as being home to numerous species of birds and wildlife, with slopes covered by a mixture of heath, heather and bog.
However, before it can be opened to the general public next summer work has to be done to protect the natural habitat of the landscape including securing the site, constructing paths and fences and erecting signs.
(MB)
The land, which lies on the fringes of north and west Belfast, was purchased at a cost of £3 million, with help in the form of a £600,000 grant from the DOE Environment and Heritage Service.
Commenting on the purchase, Richard Rogers, Chief Executive of the DOE Environment and Heritage Service, said: “The National Trust has an excellent track record in the protection and management of sites, which have outstanding landscape and conservation values.
“This application met many of the objectives of our Natural Heritage Grant Programme including nature conservation, landscape protection, public access and great opportunities for community involvement and education.”
The land, almost 1,500 acres of Divis Mountain, and a large portion of Black Mountain, has great archaeological significance as well as being home to numerous species of birds and wildlife, with slopes covered by a mixture of heath, heather and bog.
However, before it can be opened to the general public next summer work has to be done to protect the natural habitat of the landscape including securing the site, constructing paths and fences and erecting signs.
(MB)
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