Speaking after receiving written confirmation of the decision by the Department of Environment to include Tyrella and Minerstown in the AONB designation for the Strangford & Lecale the Eddie McGrady MP said;

“After months of lobbying the Minister on the need for the Tyrella & Minerstown areas to be kept as Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty, I welcome the Ministers announcement today.

“From the beginning it was clear to the community that it was impracticable and unacceptable to exclude Tyrella and Minerstown from the local AONB, and I am pleased that public pressure and influence has resulted in the Department of Environment taking the responsible and right decision not to exclude these very important and naturally beautiful areas from our local AONB.

Having not yet viewed the detail of what will be included in the AONB, I trust the Ministers statement that the AONB will include “the area around Tyrella and Minerstown “ will respond in full to the calls of the local community and the wider environmental lobby.

Ends.