New dawn for the Belfast Hills

The Landscape Partnership Scheme is tasked with sustainably developing the landscape of the Belfast Hills through community action.

It will seek to galvanise local people to become involved in the legacy and future protection of this unique rural environment – situated in a large urban population area.

The initiative will deliver four and a half new posts within the Belfast Hills Partnership offices and provide a boost to the social economy.

It will carry out a wide range of activities including an oral history project, community archaeology digs, and heritage booklet to reconnect local populations to their heritage.

The project also aims to develop sustainable tourism with improved paths, information panels, guides and recreation facilities for visitors. It also aims to foster greater social interaction among communities isolated from each other during the Troubles.

Threats of fires, erosion, farming decline, invasive species, inappropriate development, climate change and anti-social behaviour will also be addressed as part of the four year initiative.

Landscape Partnership Development Manager, Dr Lizzy Pinkerton, said the HLF award showed how vital environmental conservation is to job creation and local prosperity.

“The Landscape Partnership Scheme will be the impetus for an ongoing process of growth and development that will result in a sustainable legacy for our landscape and its people. It is a brave new era for the Belfast Hills,” she said.

Paul Mullan, Head of HLF Northern Ireland, said: “We are delighted to announce this funding which will bring together the communities of Belfast, Lisburn, Newtownabbey, and Antrim to engage with, and enjoy the natural, cultural and built heritage of the Belfast Hills.  The Landscape Partnership scheme willinvolve a portfolio of projects that provide long term social, economic and environmental benefits for the area, ensuring this outstanding asset is protected, cherished and valued for generations to come.”

Northern Ireland Environment Agency Minister Alex Attwood said: “I warmly welcome this project and am pleased that the Department of the Environment is able to contribute to it through Northern Ireland Environment Agency (NIEA). The Belfast Hills Partnership is to be commended on having the vision to make this project a reality. It will make a real difference by protecting and managing the hills landscape over looking Belfast through promoting the heritage of the Belfast Hills and giving local people a valuable opportunity to get involved in a wide range of activities.”

• The Belfast Hills cover areas of Belfast, Lisburn and Newtownabbey. The public sites include Divis and Black Mountain, Cave Hill Country Park, Colin Glen Forest Park, Carnmoney Hill and Slievenacloy nature reserve.

• The Landscape Partnership Scheme will run for four years. It contains a portfolio of over 30 projects that provide long-term social, economic and environmental benefits for the wider Belfast ills area. Work on the ground should start early next year.

• Community archaeology digs – like a recent one at Cave Hill - will take place as well as efforts to improve facilities at the five public sites.

• The Belfast Hills Partnership will spearhead biodiversity projects with private landowners and businesses in the Belfast Hills as part of the landscape scheme.

Download Heritage Lottery Fund announcement below