Attwood launches new vision for Dungannon town centre

Social Development Minister Alex Attwood today visited Dungannon to launch the newly completed masterplan for the town centre.

The masterplan, which aims to launch a new vision for the area, has been finalised following extensive consultation with stakeholders. It has identified a series of potential opportunities including:

• a retail/leisure orientated development at Market Square, incorporating the possible re-development of the Royal Mail Sorting Office and focus on Ranfurly House and Castle Hill and the promotion of the evening economy;
• the development of Anne Street/Irish Street into a ‘cultural quarter’;
  · the potential for development of Scotch Street car park into a mixed use scheme incorporating retail, office and residential uses with an underground decked car park;
• the redevelopment and upgrading of Lower Scotch Street/Barrack Street and Church Street/Perry Street;
• the development of a light public transport system; and
• a shop front improvement scheme and promotional marketing strategy for the town.

Alex Attwood said: "The regeneration process mapped out in the new masterplan will help lead to a vibrant future and a new period of success and prosperity for Dungannon.

"The masterplan is intended to guide and assist developers from the public and private sectors over the next number of years. The potential for growth is significant. I want to encourage investment in our towns that contributes to our growing economy. I want our towns to be places which provide opportunities for all."

Also speaking at the launch, the Mayor of Dungannon and South Tyrone Borough Council, Cllr Robert Mulligan said: "The Council welcomes the Town Centre Masterplan which emphasises the significance of Dungannon as an economic driver for the area. I welcome the coordinated approach between the Department and Council in this work and I look forward to its continued development in the weeks ahead."

Chairman of Dungannon Regeneration Partnership (DRP), Cllr Walter Cuddy added: "The Masterplan provides an ideal opportunity for all stakeholders to work together for the future development of Dungannon Town centre. The plan underlines what is already been achieved and spells out in strong terms how we envisage the future development of the town centre over the next 15 years."

The masterplan was produced for the Department for Social Development (DSD) in partnership with Dungannon and South Tyrone Borough Council, Dungannon Regeneration Partnership, the Planning Service and other stakeholders.

The Masterplan is available from the DSD website

or by contacting the DSD Regional Development Office at Kevlin Buildings, 47 Kelvin Avenue, Omagh, BT78 1ER, tel: 028 8225 5501.

Notes to editors:

1. Dungannon Town Centre Masterplan is the latest in a series of such Plans being prepared for District Towns by the Department’s Regional Development Office.
2. Media enquiries to DSD Information Office on 028 9082 9078. Out of Office hours, please contact Duty Press Officer via pager number 07699 715 440, and your call will be returned.