Project Update March 2025
The Lough Neagh Partnership is actively progressing with the development of a 10-Year Heritage Resilience Plan, an initiative supported by the Heritage Lottery Fund to safeguard the environmental, cultural, and economic assets of Lough Neagh. This effort is more critical than ever, as the Lough—long regarded as a cornerstone of local traditions, livelihoods, and folklore—faces increasing pressures from environmental challenges and fragmented management. By engaging with the community and key stakeholders from the outset, the plan aims to strengthen local connections to Lough Neagh, ensuring its preservation for future generations.
The Lough Neagh Ownership and Heritage Resilience Project is a strategic initiative aimed at addressing the environmental, cultural, and economic challenges facing Lough Neagh, the largest freshwater lake in the United Kingdom and Ireland. The project, commissioned by Lough Neagh Partnership Ltd in March 2024, seeks to explore new ownership models, develop a comprehensive Heritage Resilience Plan, and foster community engagement to ensure the sustainable management of this vital resource.
Lough Neagh is a designated Special Protection Area (SPA) and Area of Special Scientific Interest (ASSI), home to unique biodiversity and exceptional natural habitats. However, its long-term sustainability is at risk due to environmental degradation, climate change, and complexities surrounding its ownership and management. The current ownership structure, where the bed and soil are owned by Shaftesbury Estates, poses significant management challenges as revenue from sand extraction and shooting rights is not reinvested into conservation efforts.
The project aims to secure a more sustainable governance and financial model for the management of Lough Neagh through several key objectives:
- Exploration of Ownership Models: Assess potential ownership structures and engage with stakeholders to explore acquisition or alternative governance arrangements.
- Development of a Heritage Resilience Plan (2025–2035): Create a long-term strategic plan to guide conservation efforts and address environmental challenges.
- Scoping out Financial Sustainability and Due Diligence: Commission legal and economic assessments to evaluate the feasibility of reinvesting potential revenue streams into conservation efforts.
- Community Engagement and Capacity Building: Organise public consultations, engagement programs, and best practice visits to involve local communities in decision-making and skill-building for environmental stewardship.
The project is supported by the National Lottery Heritage Funds ‘National Lottery Grants for Heritage’ program, receiving £224,395.00 over the 24-month period between November 2023 and December 20258. The mid-term evaluation of the project includes a desk-based review of monitoring data, feedback from participants, and interviews with project staff, aiming to assess progress and make recommendations for improvements.
The project has made significant progress in fostering community engagement, promoting environmental resilience, and laying the groundwork for sustainable ownership and governance of Lough Neagh10. Over 1,263 stakeholders have participated in workshops, webinars, interviews, and surveys, surpassing initial targets. The establishment of two key working groups ensures that local communities, conservationists, industry representatives, and policymakers are actively involved in decision-making.
The project has successfully raised public and political awareness about Lough Neagh’s challenges, reaching over 16.84 million people through media outreach.
Politically, the project has gained traction at the UK and Northern Ireland government levels, resulting in the establishment of a cross-party parliamentary group to support the transition of Lough Neagh into a community-managed trust.
Looking ahead, the project aims to continue engaging with stakeholders, organize a conference event, and formalise a post-project Financial Sustainability Strategy and Legacy Plan14. The goal is to establish a self-sustaining governance and financial framework that guarantees the preservation of Lough Neagh’s ecological and cultural heritage for future generations.
A Balanced Approach to Conservation and Sustainable Development
A key component of the resilience plan is its focus on harmonising conservation efforts with sustainable economic development. The plan is designed to support local needs while protecting the Lough’s natural environment, fostering a sustainable model for heritage conservation. Community involvement remains central, encouraging local stakeholders to take an active role in preserving the biodiversity and cultural significance of Lough Neagh.
Lough Neagh 10-Year Heritage Resilience Plan
Project Update – March 2025
The Lough Neagh Partnership is making significant strides in the development of the 10-Year Heritage Resilience Plan, a groundbreaking initiative supported by the Heritage Lottery Fund. This ambitious project is designed to safeguard the environmental, cultural, and economic legacy of Lough Neagh, ensuring its resilience for generations to come. As one of the most cherished natural and historical landmarks in Northern Ireland, Lough Neagh holds deep-rooted significance for local communities, industries, and visitors alike. However, with increasing environmental challenges and fragmented management, this initiative has never been more crucial.
A Vision for Conservation & Sustainable Growth
At the heart of the Heritage Resilience Plan is a balanced approach that intertwines conservation efforts with sustainable development. This forward-thinking strategy aims to protect the natural beauty and biodiversity of Lough Neagh while also supporting local economic opportunities. By fostering collaboration among communities, businesses, and conservationists, we are laying the foundation for a thriving, well-managed, and resilient future for the Lough.
Engaging the Community – A Collective Effort
Community involvement is central to the success of this plan. We are proud to have conducted an inclusive and wide-reaching consultation process, ensuring that every voice is heard. To date, we have achieved:
- Five dynamic community sessions, gathering invaluable insights directly from local residents.
- 151 comprehensive survey responses, offering essential quantitative feedback.
- 30 in-depth interviews with key stakeholders, providing qualitative perspectives on Lough Neagh’s future.
- A highly successful Digital Community Outreach Webinar, with 169 live participants and 179 additional views on YouTube—bringing total engagement to an incredible 1,263 individuals!
One of the most resounding messages from our engagement efforts has been the call for a shift in ownership and management. Recognizing this, the next phase of the project will focus on exploring sustainable, community-driven ownership models to ensure an inclusive and effective governance structure for Lough Neagh.
Establishing Expert Working Groups
To propel this initiative forward, the Lough Neagh Partnership has assembled two dedicated working groups, bringing together experts and key stakeholders to guide the next steps:
- Ownership and Management Working Group – Exploring innovative governance models to secure long-term sustainability for Lough Neagh.
- Conservation and Heritage Working Group – Ensuring the natural, community and cultural heritage of Lough Neagh is preserved for future generations.
Next Steps – Driving Meaningful Change
As we move forward, the Partnership will be appointing professional experts in April 2025 to contribute to three essential reports:
- 10-Year Heritage Resilience Plan – A comprehensive roadmap for conservation and sustainable development.
- Greenbook Ownership Options Paper – Exploring viable pathways for effective ownership and governance.
- Change of Ownership Due Diligence Scoping Study – Assessing the implications and feasibility of various ownership models.
These reports will serve as the foundation for implementing positive, lasting change, with final deliverables expected by December 2025.
Be Part of Lough Neagh’s Future!
The Lough Neagh Partnership remains steadfast in its commitment to fostering a resilient, sustainable, and community-driven future for Lough Neagh. We invite you to stay engaged, contribute your voice, and be part of this transformative journey.
Stay Updated & Get Involved! Visit our website regularly for updates, upcoming events, and opportunities to participate.
For detailed information on our procurement projects, please click on the relevant links below for more information:
- 10-Year Heritage Resilience Plan
- Greenbook New Ownership Options Paper
- Change of Ownership Due Diligence Scoping Study
