By Ronan McSherry

The Chair of Mid-Ulster Young Unionists Ryan Moses has launched a scathing attack on the DUP accusing them of 'short sighted and selfish political interests' as well as being 'ultimately responsible for the greening of the West.'

The DUP has hit back by accusing the UUP of accepting the title of the Maiden City as 'Derry' within its concil name.

The up and coming UUP activist made his remarks following the publication of the proposed council boundary changes which will come into operation in 2011.

The new model will involve the amalgamation of areas which will reduce the present 26 councils across the North to 11 'Super Councils.'

Mr Moses has taken issue with Newtownstewart, Castlederg, Glenderg and what he describes as 'other settlements' remaining with Strabane District Council which is to be joined with Derry City rather than being part of the new Omagh-Fermanagh District.

"I am extremely disappointed with the revised recommendations," he said.

identity

"Those living in Castlederg, Newtownstewart and other settlements have a strong identity with Omagh and naturally gravitate towards it for a ranges of reasons.

"This seems to have been ignored by the Commissioner and his assistants."

Turning his ire on the DUP he said, "Neither of the two West Tyrone DUP MLAs made any representation in relation to the Review of Public Administration or the transfer of the three wards.

"The DUP are on record as stating, that, 'The party is content with the proposed external boundaries of this Council.'

"It is not surprising that the DUP are 'happy' with the proposals, happy that they have again let the people of West Tyrone down and happy that they are ultimately responsible for the greening of the West, as the result of short sighted and selfish political interests."

In response DUP MLA Allan Bresland said, "It is disappointing that whilst the Ulster Unionist Party find time to attack the DUP over the geographical area covered by this council that they apparently have no problems with the acceptance of the 'Derry' title within the council name and the problems this will cause for community relations."

Mr Bresland added that the DUP submitted one of the most detailed documents to the consultation on the new Council boundaries.

He added, "The DUP takes the issue of rights for the minority Protestant community in the west of the province very seriously and wished to ensure that these were not diminished because of the drawing of council boundaries."

Meanwhile the vice-chair of Omagh council has also criticised the decision to put those areas in the Strabane-Derry council.

"We felt Newtownstewart in particular has a natural affinity with Strabane district area. Omagh councillors also objected to it because the county of

Tyrone has been fragmented. We would have liked the identity of Tyrone to be

maintained. Clearly in protecting the interests of the county we feel that

Tyrone has been disadvantaged. We have no acute hospital services and a very

poor road infrastructure. There doesn't seem to be any single body looking after

the interests of Tyrone as a county."