Lough Neagh algae: Owner of bed and soil, Earl of Shaftsbury Nicolas Ashley-Cooper, says he 'always gets blamed for things outside his control'

The 12th Earl of Shaftesbury Nicolas Ashley-Cooper said that current problems with sewage, fertiliser and algae pollution in the lough are outside his control.

“The situation with the sale is one that's borne out of an understanding that my ownership has always been very divisive and quite political and I always get blamed for things that are completely outside of my control,” he told BBC News NI.

“I feel it's often used as an excuse for political inaction and I always want to do the right thing by the people living here and what's in the best interest of the lough.

“I remain open to what's the best outcome for the lough.”

He will not consider giving it away.

“I'm well aware there are people who think that way but I'd like to be treated as any other business owner and the business has a value,” he said.

“If we were going to get into a conversation about ownership, then that would be taken account of.”

The rights to the lough were given a price tag of £6m 10 years ago, but civil servants at the time advised the government not to go ahead with the sale. It is not known why, the BBC reported.

He added: “The issues at the moment are to do with the water, and our ownership is the bed and soil so the current situation is not our responsibility.”

Currently his estate has granted five licences for sand dredging in one area of the lough.

He declined to disclose the royalties but said his company accounts are open to public scrutiny.

He inherited the lough when his father was murdered 18 years ago. “I was here in 2012 saying basically exactly the same thing, that we need to take action.”

The earl would like to see a “central management body that actually has teeth and can take action”.

He added: “We're actually closely monitored and scrutinised but I would always want to adhere to any amount of regulations or controls.”

UUP Environment Spokesman Tom Elliott MLA responded that public ownership by itself isn’t the answer to the problems.

“In view of recent comments by some politicians for Lough Neagh to be brought into public ownership, I would remind them that Public Ownership will not solve the immediate issues facing the lough,” he said.

"I’ve highlighted before that Lough Erne for instance is under Public Ownership yet, it cannot bring stakeholders together to effectively resolve issues, Public governance isn’t always the answer.

“It is important that a management task force is in place for Lough Neagh. This should have input from all stakeholders to ensure that ongoing issues on the Lough are monitored, managed and future plans put in place.

“A number of initiatives have either been put in place or planned to help improve the water quality in Lough Neagh. While these plans are very welcome there are other aspects that may have greater positive impacts, like improved Anaerobic Digestion processes and woodland buffer zones.

“I would also remind them that any agreement that sees Lough Neagh returned to public ownership will require purchase of the owner at market value, which I understand hasn’t been ruled out”