Planning permission has been granted for a new headquarters for the North’s Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (DARD).
New Location of DARD HQ
Permission for the 8.7ac site in Ballykelly, Co. Derry was granted for the three-story building by Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council Planning Committee.
The North’s Minister for Agriculture, Michelle O’Neill, said the decision was a significant step in her department’s relocation programme.
“I am delighted we’ve got approval to start building our new modern headquarters on the former Shackleton army barracks in Ballykelly.
“We will now appoint a building contractor and hope to see construction work begin at the site in the summer with the three-storey building ready for new staff at the end of 2017.”
Today’s news is a vital step towards achieving our goal of a £20m investment in relocating public sector jobs to the north west as well as an economic boost to traders, businesses and the wider community.
“I hope the building will become part of village life so have ensured it is designed with facilities that can be opened up and used by the local community.
“It will complement the established and distinctive surroundings while providing a modern working environment for staff.
“The open plan offices will also offer them stunning views of Binevenagh and the Sperrins, and across Lough Foyle to Inishowen.”
The move from Dundonald House in east Belfast to Ballykelly will begin next year with the first staff taking up position by the end of 2017, according to DARD.
Minister O’Neill said that work has already begun on plans to relocate staff and as well as identifying staff who want to move to Ballykelly.
New DARD HQ
Department of Agriculture Relocation reservations
Meanwhile, the Ulster Farmers’ Union (UFU) has said that while it fully supports moving public sector jobs into rural areas, it still has reservations over the relocation of the Department of Agriculture to Ballykelly.
UFU Deputy President Barclay Bell said that despite the economic boost rural communities in the north-west may experience as a result of this move, there are some obvious downsides.
He said the UFU had consistently questioned the logic of spending a large amount of money on a single relocation project, when an existing network of DARD Direct Offices throughout Northern Ireland could be used.
Bell said the impact of the move on DARD staff could be overlooked and that it’s encouraging there is interest across the civil service to work at Ballykelly.
But our concern is that many of DARD’s existing, experienced, and qualified staff may not be in a position to move, because of family commitments in commuting distance to the current DARD HQ in Belfast.
He added that this meant there was a serious risk DARD will lose a wealth of expertise, jeopardising the standard of service farmers receive.
“With planning now approved, the most important thing for our members is that DARD is in a position to deliver first rate front-line services.
“This is about advising farmers, but it is also vital that the many different programmes in the agriculture sector are fairly and efficiently administered,.”
(Source – Agriland – Amy Forde – 25/02/2016)
Ministers Hail Jobs Boost As £12million Contract For New Headquarters Is Awarded
First Minister, Arlene Foster and deputy First Minister, Martin McGuinness have joined Agriculture Minister, Michelle O’Neill to announce the award of a £12million contract to build new Government department headquarters in Ballykelly.
Pictured (from left-right) are; deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness, Trevor Turkington, Chief Executive of JH Turkington and Sons, First Minister Arlene Foster and Agriculture Minister Michelle O’Neill.Photo Kelvin Boyes / Press Eye
The contract, to build the new headquarters for the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs has been awarded to JH Turkington and Sons. The project will eventually see around 600 civil service jobs move to the north west and is the first time a government department has relocated its HQ to a rural area.
Work will start immediately on the pre-construction design phase of the project, which will sustain some 155 full time construction jobs, with building work expected to start in July.
First Minister, Arlene Foster said: “Relocating Government department headquarters away from Belfast demonstrates the Executive’s commitment to rural communities in Northern Ireland. The construction of the new headquarters offers businesses, in both Ballykelly and the wider area, huge economic opportunities. Hundreds of civil servants will work and shop in the village which, in turn, will help create many more additional service and supply jobs as well as secure existing employment.”
The deputy First Minister, Martin McGuinness, said: “This project has been a catalyst for regeneration stimulating much needed job opportunities as well instilling the local community and businesses with renewed energy. The Executive is not just building a new headquarters, it is building confidence into the local economy and the local community with a significant jobs boost. I look forward to more positive developments at Ballykelly which will benefit all the people of the North West.”
Minister O’Neill said: “The appointment of this team is an important next step in the delivery of this £20 million investment. Around 600 public sector jobs will relocate to the north west bringing huge benefits to the village and wider community. The investment will also sustain 155 construction jobs, including many apprenticeships, during construction work which is due to be completed in December 2017. JH Turkington’s will now work closely with my officials to agree the design and construction plan for the new three-storey HQ. I look forward to seeing the work progress and am confident it will be ready to receive the first members of staff at the end of 2017.”
The Agriculture Minister added: “DARD has a long and proud history of delivering for the rural and farming community and I believe this new rural setting provides the perfect opportunity for us to get closer to people we serve.”
Trevor Turkington, Chief Executive from the contractors said: “We are thrilled to have won the contract and to be part of the team delivering this fantastic building in such a beautiful rural location. It is just the type of challenge we have successfully delivered for other clients so we are very excited to be part of this major relocation project for DARD.”
Planning permission for the 8.7acre site was granted last month by Causeway Coast and Glens Planning Committee. An advance party of 100 staff will be in location in the north west by the end of 2016 with around 150 more posts moving once the new building is finished. There will be a total staff complement of 600 once the project is complete.
(Source – Farming Life – 29/03/2016)