Ritchie's funding boost for Dungannon estates clean-up and environmental improvement

The Minister for Social Development, Margaret Ritchie today announced a funding boost of £52,250 for Dungannon Neighbourhood Renewal Area.

The funding will be used to tidy up and improve the environment within three housing estates in Dungannon and to provide a community safety leaflet in a number of languages. It also includes a contribution to a proposal by Dungannon Council’s Reimaging Communities Initiative to erect two estate markers. The Northern Ireland Housing Executive will implement the project giving it a total value of £60,088.

Making the announcement the Social Development Minister Margaret Ritchie said: “I am pleased to support this project for local residents in Dungannon. It will provide much needed assistance for improving the environment in local housing areas, generating pride of place and a more pleasant environment for residents.

"The implementation of this project through the Housing Executive demonstrates my department’s on-going commitment to improving the conditions for people living in the Dungannon neighbourhood renewal area.”

The minister also acknowledged the work of the Dungannon Neighbourhood Partnership saying: "I wish to express my appreciation of the efforts of members of Dungannon Neighbourhood Partnership who are striving to deliver valuable neighbourhood renewal projects in the local area.

"I am particularly pleased to note that members recognise the value in supporting people from other countries. The multi-lingual leaflet will provide a useful source of information for resident migrant families living in this area.”

Work will be carried out in Meadowbank, Windmill Drive, Windmill Court, Braeside, Woodburn Crescent, Fairmont Park and various parts of Milltown. It will include tidying up projects to remove debris, and the removal of unsightly fencing. It will also include landscaping, flower planting, and painting railings at Fairmont Park and estate markers erected at Milltown and Windmill Drive.

In order to carry out the tidying up works, assistance will be made available in each area. Skips will be made available at convenient locations and people will be employed to assist with bulky items and to provide general assistance particularly for elderly residents.

To give them an opportunity to make best use of the tidy up, residents will be informed by a leaflet drop about one week in advance. Residents will also have opportunities to become involved in the landscaping and flower planting when they are taking place. The railings at Fairmont Park will be painted by a contractor.

Notes to editors

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. The Neighbourhood Renewal Strategy 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.

The Dungannon Neighbourhood Renewal Partnership is one of those funded by DSD.

Media enquiries to DSD Information Office on 028 9082 9078. Out of office hours please contact the Duty Press Officer via pager number 07699 715 440 and your call will be returned

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