New Chair and Deputy Chair for Strangford Lough and Lecale Partnership

The Strangford Lough and Lecale Partnership (SLLP) has elected a new Chair, Edel Trainor and Deputy Chair, Cllr Philip Campbell as champions of this valued landscape, the Strangford and Lecale Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB).

Edel Trainor succeeds David Williams, who has held the post of Chair of SLLP for the last two years. Cllr Philip Campbell takes over the role of deputy from Edel as she now steps up to Chair the partnership. Edel joins SLLP, as the Outdoor Recreation Officer for Ards and North Down Borough Council. Cllr Philip Campbell is a Councillor with Newry Mourne and Down District Council representing Downpatrick.

The Strangford Lough and Lecale Partnership is a stakeholder group comprising local representatives working to conserve and protect the natural, cultural, and built heritage of the AONB. They work collaboratively, sharing knowledge and expertise to improve the management of the designated landscapes and seascapes. The partnership is facilitated by the AONB and Geopark team in Newry Mourne and Down District Council. Membership is open to any organisation or individual with an interest in the biodiversity, heritage, recreation, and sustainable tourism of the Strangford and Lecale AONB.

Newry, Mourne and Down District Council Chairperson, Councillor Valerie Harte welcomed Edel and Philip to their positions saying, “I very much look forward to working with Edel and Philip in their new roles in the Strangford Lough and Lecale Partnership.”

She went on to say “This is an exciting time for AONB management across our area. Newry Mourne and Down District Council recently secured a five-year funding package for the AONB and Geopark of almost £3million from the NIEAs Environment Fund, and Newry Mourne and Down District Council and Ards and North Down Borough Council. The funding will focus on strategic areas of nature and climate recovery as well as connecting people with the environment. The AONB Partnerships have a key role to play in the management of the AONB through funding packages such as this.”

Speaking about the access and biodiversity projects that will be delivered through the NIEA Environment funding package, Edel Trainor, said, ‘I am very pleased to be taking on the mantle of Chair of SLLP at this time. This investment is crucial to protect our designated sites, habitats and species. It will allow the team to deliver a wide variety of projects over the coming months and years, from Advanced Mooring Systems in Strangford Lough; to the maintenance of long distance walking routes throughout the area; to nature based solutions to coastal erosion; to improved awareness of the potential conflicts between outdoor recreation users and wildlife, and how to avoid any disturbance to the wildlife; to the popular Youth Rangers Programme and much more. Strangford and Lecale AONB, and Strangford Lough Marine Protected Area which lies within it are very special places and the partnership is committed to working together to conserve and protect them alongside the communities and businesses that live and work here.”

Strangford Lough and Lecale Partnership

The Strangford Lough and Lecale Partnership is a stakeholder group comprising representatives working to conserve and protect our natural, cultural and built heritage in the Strangford and Lecale Area of…

Our Governance

Our Governance The Strangford & Lecale AONB is overseen by a Partnership whose members remit is to contribute to the coordination and facilitation of the management of the Strangford &…