This comes after a big tree trunk blocked the doorway to the park final week, which prompted Richard Cathcart, who owns land across the native magnificence spot, to name on DAERA and the Forest Service to “kind out” ongoing “issues” within the space.
It’s understood that the massive tree trunk has since been eliminated, however that entrance gates are actually locked.
A spokeswoman from the Forest Service mentioned: “Forest Service is coping with the problem of a locked gate being erected on the entry to the automobile park at Ely Lodge forest by a 3rd celebration and is at present taking essential authorized recommendation on the matter, together with the re-instatement of public entry to the power.”
Final week, hypothesis started to construct on an area Fb group when a tree trunk was seen to dam the doorway to Ely Lodge.
Many feedback had been directed in direction of Mr. Cathcart, who then posted an announcement calling for a decision.
Mr Cathcart’s assertion learn: “It’s a easy incontrovertible fact that I inherited components of this land from my late father and mom’s property in 2018.
“I paid substantial sums in inheritance tax as this land was handed to me. This can be a matter of public document – you’re welcome and invited to seek the advice of the Land Registry, the place I’m the authorized and sole proprietor of the accreted floor across the Carrickreagh/Ely Lodge Forest Walks.
“I’ve had the misfortune of being concerned in damaging public legal responsibility motion up to now, which took an incredible monetary and emotional toll on my household and me.
“Given previous expertise, I’ve sought to grasp the administration and insurance coverage preparations over my lands at Carrickreagh/Ely Lodge Forest.
“I’ve spent years assembly and making an attempt to interact with the Council, Forestry Service and Geopark to attempt to perceive the operational and threat administration for the positioning; nonetheless, I’ve by no means obtained an earnest response or honest enterprise to resolve these issues.”
In June of final 12 months, DAERA assumed duty for the administration of the placement from Fermanagh and Omagh District Council.
Mr Cathcart’s assertion continued: “Within the intervening years, I’ve, at private expense, insured and maintained these lands for the general public good.
“I’ve spent my time and my cash insuring these lands, tidying, sawing, emptying bins, and obtained no cash, thanks or co-operation from any public physique.
“Even after seven years, it seems that FODC and the Forestry Service had no honest intention to resolve these long-running points and appeared content material that I proceed to foot the invoice.
“After the extreme injury attributable to latest storms, there’s a substantial quantity of clearing and remedial work required on the website – I merely can’t afford to pay one other invoice.
“After session with the Forestry Service, it was mutually agreed that the positioning needs to be closed till the problems I’ve outlined may be resolved. I don’t thoughts telling you there was no progress.
“I must also level out that the big logs (that had been positioned) on the entrance had been positioned there by the Forestry Service. This land is above the outdated waterline and isn’t in my possession or management, so the Forestry Service alone have blocked this entry.”
Mr. Cathcart added: “These of you that know me will know I’m not an unreasonable man. I like the scenic walks and exquisite environment in our shared house as a lot as anybody else; I genuinely don’t need to limit entry to a well-liked amenity.
“However the Council and Forestry Service merely don’t need to kind these issues out and are fairly content material to color me because the dangerous man – I’m not dangerous, I simply truthfully need it sorted.”
He concluded: “I might sincerely recognize when you might direct queries to your native representatives – it’s they which are doing you this disservice. I genuinely don’t really feel it’s honest to direct hatred towards my household and me once we are sincerely attempting to kind this out.”
In an announcement, a spokeswoman from Fermanagh and Omagh District Council mentioned that that they had “no possession or management” of the realm.
“Ely Lodge Forest Stroll, together with entry to strolling trails and Carrickreagh Jetty, is the duty of the Division of Agriculture, Surroundings and Rural Affairs,” the spokeswoman mentioned.
“The Council has no possession nor management of the realm; subsequently, it could not be applicable for the Council to touch upon this matter.”
