BY MARK MCKELVEY

A PROPOSAL to create a community radio station for the Omagh district area has been temporarily halted due to Ofcom regulations.

The idea was to broadcast over the airwaves for 20 to 40 hours a week from the new multi-million pound Strule Arts Centre that is set to open at the start of the summer. However the independent regulatory authority for the UK communications industries does not permit community based stations to broadcast in the North on a continuous basis.

Chairman of the Management committee for the new Strule Arts Centre, Cllr Barry McElduff has expressed they are still optimistic the proposal will be successfu;l, and will continue to work to achieve a radio station that will promote local talent, and addressed this issue further at the development committee of Omagh District Council on Tuesday night.

"I would firstly commend Paul Maguire for originally bringing this idea to the Arts Centre Management Board, which is a an excellent marketing device and way of involving the whole community in this project," stated the Sinn Féin councillor.

"It is an excellent concept that deserves to be explored further. The legal situation in relation to who can make such an application has to be investigated."

ADDRESS

Cllr McElduff indicated that if devolved powers were reinstated a local representative could address this issue.

He said, "I intend to meet with the Minister for Culture, Arts and Leisure concerning this, however if there was an incoming executive in March a local minister could then look at the whole concept of enabling a community radio proposal like this."

Outlining the benefits such a broadcast service would bring to the West Tyrone area, Cllr McElduff said, "It would be another platform for the undoubted local talent that exists. I feel local radio properly done is an intrinsic part of a community, a good reflection of the local character.

"There is a legitimate interest on the part of this community if existing providers are not properly providing this service, as local has to be at the heart of local radio.

"The construction of the Strule Arts Centre is such a major development for West Tyrone it warrants the existence of a radio station to promote local talent."