Ritchie announces start of environmental improvement works in Brownlow

Social Development Minister Margaret Ritchie MLA today announced a funding boost of £100,000 for an environmental improvement project in Craigavon.

The funding will help develop an arts project in the Drumbeg area of Brownlow including:

• an enclosed garden area with a number of commissioned sculptures; and
• interactive lighting on an area of vacant Housing Executive land overlooking the Drumbeg roundabout.

Margaret Ritchie said: "This is great news for the people in Drumbeg. The new environmental improvements will help develop a sense of community identity and pride in the area. It will also help create a more attractive neighbourhood where residents will want to live and bring up their families. The scheme will regenerate an interface area and will be welcomed by the residents."

The local community has been actively involved in the design process of the project. The Housing Executive has provided the necessary land and Craigavon Borough Council has agreed to manage the scheme. The Council will also accept responsibility for the future maintenance of the facility upon completion, with the assistance of local community representatives.

The Minister acknowledged the role of the other statutory bodies, local community representatives and the Brownlow Neighbourhood Partnership. The partnership had identified the need for the scheme in its Vision Framework and Action plan for regenerating the area. She said: “One of the key factors in successfully tackling deprivation and assisting regeneration is through a partnership approach involving the public, private and community sectors. This project is an excellent example of a number of statutory bodies working with community representatives to deliver real benefits for deprived communities. I look forward to visiting the area for the official opening when the facility is complete.”

The scheme is being funded by a DSD contribution of £85,000 from the Neighbourhood Renewal Investment Fund with a further £15,000.00 coming from the Arts Council Northern Ireland.

Notes to editors:

1. The Neighbourhood Renewal Strategy 'People and Place' which was published in June 2003, sets out government’s proposals for closing 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.

2. News Media enquiries to DSD Information Office on 028 9082 9078 Mobile 07970 976 894. Out of office please contact the Duty Press Officer via pager number 07699 715 440 and your call will be returned.