A BUILDING at one of the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs' headquarters has been officially renamed to mark the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee.

Northern Ireland's Ballykelly House, which opened in 2018, will now be known as Jubilee House, in recognition of Her Majesty's 70th year on the throne. 

DAERA Minister Edwin Poots joined staff recently at an official renaming ceremony to unveil the change. 

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He said: “It gives me great pleasure to rename Ballykelly House as Jubilee House to mark and celebrate Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth’s Platinum Jubilee.

“As one of DAERA’s three headquarters, I believe the renaming of this state-of-the-art building will reflect and honour Her Majesty’s outstanding 70-year reign.

Forestry Journal:

"It is just one of many events and schemes we have organised in the Department to mark the Queen’s Jubilee.”

The facility, which opened in 2018, is located on the former Shackleton Army Base and boasts modern, 'cutting edge' technologies.

In 2019 The Princess Royal, Princess Anne, visited the flagship project which is home to a number of eco-friendly initiatives including rainwater harvesting, solar panels, a sedum green roof and swift boxes, which all promote green living and help conserve energy.

Minister Poots said: “My Department has supported a number of Jubilee-related projects including £100,000 to fund a bespoke Pollinator Garden as a legacy of the Platinum Jubilee. A 500-year-old oak tree at Belvoir Forest Park has also be chosen as part of a nationwide network of 70 Ancient Trees to be dedicated to The Queen in her Jubilee year.”