A sod-turning ceremony has been held to mark the beginning of development on the new 105-acre Native Woodland Park in Sligo.

Funded under the Woodland Creation on Public Land scheme first introduced by Minister of State for Biodiversity and Land Use at the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Pippa Hackett, this project represents a prime example of public bodies using their lands for the creation of public lands.

The HSE Cloonamahon complex is located approximately 10km from Sligo town and is easily accessible from the main Sligo to Dublin road (N4). It is a circa 200 acre site owned by the HSE, bordering approximately 15 acres of forest owned by Coillte and 23 acres of land owned by Western Forestry Co-operative. Coillte are converting this existing conifer plantation to Native Woodland. Western Forestry Co-op are establishing a native woodland model forest on their land. The HSE site is being established and managed by Western Forestry Co-op.

The site currently operates as a service for people with disabilities. National policy – Transforming Lives and Time To Move On from Congregated Settings - supports people with disabilities to live in the community. HSE Community Healthcare Organisation Area 1 Disability Services have been progressing community living for residents in congregated settings over the past number of years. The Cregg campus in Sligo closed completely for residential services in late 2021 with 112 residents having moved to new community group homes. There are now 22 residents who remain living on the Cloonamahon campus and 15 of these residents are due to move to new community group homes in 2022 with the remainder moving in 2023. As a result there has been use made of what was previously residential accommodation in the main Cloonamahon building to provide accommodation for a range of HSE management and support services.

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The purpose of the Woodland Creation on Public Lands Scheme is to encourage Public Bodies to establish new native woodlands on suitable land.

Minister Hackett visited the site of the Woodland Park in Sligo to officially turn the sod on the development and plant the first tree.

Speaking at the event, Minister Hackett said: "I am delighted to officiate at today's ceremony to mark the first significant step in a collaborative effort by the HSE, Coillte, Western Forestry Co-operative and Sligo County Council to create a native woodland, all funded by my Department. Native woodlands are an important part of Ireland's natural, historical and cultural heritage, and are unique in terms of their biodiversity. This is why I introduced a scheme to encourage public bodies to use their lands for creation of native woodlands and today's site is an excellent example of how this scheme is working. I congratulate also Coillte and Western Forestry Co-operative for bringing adjoining lands into this project and am delighted that my Department is also funding this through the Native Woodland Conservation Scheme and Afforestation Grant Scheme."

As well as the new native woodland, approximately 55 acres of old native woodland will be enhanced through the Departments Native Woodland Conservation and NeighbourWood Schemes as a public amenity, which will incorporate accessible walking tracks, signage, seating and picnic areas, providing an inclusive space in nature for both locals and visitors to the Sligo area.

CEO, HSE, Paul Reid commented: "The extensive landscape at Cloonamahon is biodiverse and CHO 1 will further enhance this landscape through partnership with the local community, our existing partners and other potential partners to restore and develop spaces to engage with nature and horticultural opportunities. To this end I am delighted to announce today that €300,000 will be available from the Health Services Executive's 2022 Capital Programme to start the journey of creating further opportunities to engage with nature and horticultural activities. This capital budget is being made available as a one off contribution from the income of sale of lands to the National Roads Authority for the N4 realignment. It will support the capital costs associated with the upgrade of the old farmyard and orchard to create a sensory garden and horticulture area, for use initially by disability and mental health day services."

Cathaoirleach of Sligo County Council Paul Taylor added: "Today's event marks the first step on the journey of development envisaged for Cloonamahon. With further investment, the Cloonamahon complex can be developed to create further opportunities for all citizens to spend time in nature through the creation of spaces to engage in therapeutic, horticultural, respite and recreational activities.

"When key local agencies work together in dynamic partnership, there is no limit to what we can achieve. The Native Woodland Park is a testament to the energy, ambition and drive of a number of agencies, and Sligo County Council is committed to supporting the HSE, Coillte and Western Forestry in promoting and showcasing this amenity."