People of Castlederg urged to have their say on future of vacant police station

by Gráinne Connolly

Members of the public living in Castlederg and the surrounding areas are being invited to offer their suggestions for the future development of the vacant PSNI station. 

It's located in the town on the Castlefin Road. 

Last month Derry City and Strabane District Council's Environment and Regeneration Comittee recommended that the council held a consultation exercise. 

This is to seek the views of the local community in terms of its aspirations for how the site could be re-used or re-developed in the future. 

The station was one of many sites closed last year by the PSNI as part of its wider rationalisation plans. 

It's quite a prominent building in the town centre of Castlederg and is currently under the ownership of the Northern Ireland Policing Board. 

The consultation exercise will be held this afternoon (Wednesday 15th June) from 3pm to 8pm, at the Derg Valley Leisure Centre. 

This gives the public the chance to call in and discuss their suggestions with Council representatives, while informing them with options for the future ownership and operation of the site.

Mayor of Derry City and Strabane District Council, Councillor Maoliosa McHugh is urging local people to take this opportunity and have their say: 

"This is a very prominent site within the Castlederg area and one which I believe should be utilised to the benefit of the entire community. 

"The Council is committed to exploring all options with a view to ensuring the best use for the site and I would really encourage everyone with an interest to come along and give their views."

The public can attend the consultation event (mentioned above) or alternatively comments can be submitted by email to shona.mcclenaghan@derrystrabane.com by no later than Wednesday 22nd June.