Neighbourhood Renewal is working says Hanson

A new retail park, offices and housing in North and West Belfast show that Neighbourhood Renewal is making a difference.

Speaking at a regeneration seminar in North Belfast, Social Development Minister David Hanson MP said: “There are many examples which show that Neighbourhood Renewal is beginning to gather pace. In North Belfast the Hillview Retail Park has been developed with £1.3 million assistance from DSD. In the west of the city new retail units and offices are planned for Lanark Way which will bring in private investment of £3.3 million. There are proposals to develop the former Lawnbrook Avenue Mill and to build up to 80 houses at Cupar Way and Lanark Way as well as 71 much needed new homes at Westrock/Brittons Parade.

“This remarkable rebirth could not have happened without the community working in concert with Government Departments and agencies,” he said.

Outlining his vision for Northern Ireland Mr Hanson said that he wanted to see a future where people have ownership and pride in their communities, where they feel safe and where they could fulfil their own potential and encourage the next generation.

“If Neighbourhood Renewal is to deliver fully on its commitments there must be real engagement between Government and the communities it serves. Local Partnerships which are being set up under Neighbourhood Renewal will provide both the vision and the action plans to address needs within communities. This is not an easy task. There are many challenges and obstacles and it would be easy to become disillusioned but we must continue as we know that real and long lasting gains await us.”

Keynote speakers at the seminar also included Dr Brendan Murtagh from the School of Planning at QUB; Geraldine McAteer, Chief Executive of West Belfast Partnership; and Jackie Redpath, Chief Executive of Greater Shankill Partnership.

NOTES TO EDITORS:

1.The Neighbourhood Renewal Strategy ‘People and Place’ was published in June 2003 to close the gap between the quality of life for people in the most deprived neighbourhoods and the rest of society.

2.It has four interlinking strategic objectives:

• Community Renewal – to develop confident communities that are able and committed to improving the quality of life in their areas.
• Economic Renewal – to develop economic activity in the most deprived neighbourhoods and connect them to the wider urban economy.
• Social Renewal – to improve social conditions for the people who live in the most deprived neighbourhoods through better co-ordinated public services and the creation of safer environments.
• Physical Renewal – to help create attractive, safe and sustainable environments in the most deprived neighbourhoods.

3.For further information, contact the DSD Information Office on 028 9082 9496.