Rathfriland Estate can be a model for other neighbourhoods - Ritchie

Social Development Minister Margaret Ritchie MLA, today welcomed the regeneration taking place at Lissize in Rathfriland.

She highlighted that commitment by local residents to a common goal, harnessed with good community relations, can make a real difference to their lives.

During her visit to Lissize Margaret Ritchie said: “It is so heartening to visit a community like Lissize that has achieved so much for its residents through its commitment to a common goal of improving the local environment and promoting good community relations. Building a Shared Future in Northern Ireland is a central theme of my New Housing Agenda and I am reassured by my visit to Lissize that the vision can become a reality”.

“I commend Lissize Community Association (LCA) for its leadership and proactive approach in representing the interests of all the people in Lissize. The direction given by LCA and its partnership with other statutory agencies has reaped tangible benefits for all the residents of the estate. One only has to look at the state of the art secure play area, football pitch and community garden for evidence of that.

Paying tribute to the residents Margaret Ritchie said:“I applaud the residents of Lissize for their commitment to improving their local environment and for their whole-hearted support for the many positive changes that have been realised within their community. Lissize is proof of how community-led improvements with the right level of support from the voluntary and statutory agencies can achieve substantial improvements on the ground. It can be a model for many other neighbourhoods”.

During Minister Ritchie’s visit to Lissize, the Minister viewed the new entrance feature designed to welcome people to the estate, and was shown around the community garden, the play-area and football pitch – all of which were achieved through the successful partnership working of the residents, the Northern Ireland Housing Executive, the local Council, the Department for Regional Development, the Police Service of Northern Ireland and the Regeneration of Mourne Area Limited (ROMAL) rural support network.

Maxie Beale, Chairperson of Lissize Community Association, said: We welcome Minister Ritchie and are pleased to show her the work that has been done here. In the past five years we have achieved a lot and are proud of our estate. We set out to provide something for all the people in Lissize Park and today the play park is the focal point for our children and the community garden is enjoyed by older residents.”

Notes to Editors:

1. Lissize is a social housing estate built in 1978 and located in the rural town of Rathfriland.
2. Margaret Ritchie met with the Chairperson of the Lissize Community Association, The Northern Ireland Housing Executive District Managar and the Head of Community Services in Banbridge Council to see at first hand the very real progress that has been made in the environmental regeneration, community safety and Infrastructure within the estate.
3. Lissize Community Association was established approximately 16 years ago in order to tackle the housing issues within the area. The Committee comprises both homeowners and Northern Ireland Housing Executive tenants and has worked in partnership with the voluntary and statutory bodies to improve the quality of life for the residents of Lissize and the wider Rathfriland area.
4. Media enquiries to DSD Information Office on 02890 829079. Out of office hours please contact the Deputy Press Officer via pager number 07699 715 440 and your call will be returned.