McCausland impressed by regeneration work in Londonderry

Social Development Minister Nelson McCausland has visited Londonderry to meet with community representatives and view the ongoing regeneration work.
~ Thursday, 2 February 2012

During his visit the Minister met with community representatives to hear about community and housing issues affecting the Waterside area of the city.

He visited the Fountain estate within the Cityside Neighbourhood Renewal Area and viewed the new Community Centre in Caw Nelson Drive. He also met with some of those involved in community work there. He then viewed the site for the Multi Use Games Area (MUGA) funded by the Department and to be delivered by the City Council.

Nelson McCausland said “I am pleased to be in Londonderry today to see the ongoing regeneration work. The MUGA in the Fountain and the Community Centre in Caw are good examples of DSD working in partnership with the public, private and community sectors to deliver real benefits for disadvantaged communities”.

The Community Centre in Caw Nelson Drive is a £118,000 project that will see four previously derelict Housing Executive flats completely renovated and refurbished. The project is being funded by a grant of £50,000 from the Neighbourhood Renewal Investment Fund with the remainder secured from UK City of Culture Funding. The project will see the installation of a lift, disabled access and refurbishment of the first floor of the centre and will see an increase in key services to local residents. The centre will also showcase the culture and history area to visitors during the UK City of Culture celebrations in 2013.

The refurbishment of the derelict flats in Caw Nelson Drive has been completed in two phases. Phase 1 was completed through funding from the Fair Share programme and the local community group’s own fund raising initiatives. The Housing Executive updated the gas heating, a local Contractor installed the kitchen and new windows were installed through Neighbourhood Renewal.

During his visit to the city, the Minister also visited the Apprentice Boys of Derry Memorial Hall, the Medical Support Services building on the Strand Road and the Ebrington site in the Waterside.

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.
2. 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.
3. Media enquires to DSD Communications Team on 028 9082 9078. Out of office hours, please contact the Duty Press Office via pager number 07699 715 440 and your call will be returned.