AQW 21374/22-27

Ms Paula Bradshaw
Alliance Party
South Belfast

Tabled Date: 27/01/2025
Answered On Date: 31/01/2025
Priority Written: Yes

Question:
To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs, further to my recent written correspondence and my visit to Newforge Sports Complex and Event Hub, for an update on plans to transfer surplus adjacent land owned by his Department to the complex for potential use as an additional sports facility.

Answer:

My Department has now completed the initial phase of a Strategic Review of the Agri-Food and Biosciences Institute’s Land and Property Holdings.

This has helped inform considerations around the lands at Newforge and discussions are ongoing between officials from my Department, the Newforge Community Development Trust and, indeed, other interested parties about the potential next steps for the DAERA lands at Newforge.

These discussions are being taken forward on a ‘without prejudice’ basis and any potential disposal or lease of the lands in the future will follow due process.