This was the Regional Development Minister's message to a conference reviewing the Regional Development Strategy (RDS) at the Stormont Hotel, Belfast.
The Minister said: “My aim in producing a revised RDS is for a regional strategy which will set out a long term vision for development of the North. This means a strategy which sets out directions for the location of jobs, houses, businesses, public services and facilities across the whole region.
“A revised RDS will provide clear directions about how all places can maximise their development potential and provide guidance at a local level. It will be of significance to the functions of the proposed new Councils and will set out a framework for decisions which we all take on growth and investment.
“It will explain our position in an all-island context and our relationships on an east/west, European and world context and how best to ensure that all parts of the North work together for regional growth and benefit from that growth.”
The Minister went on to explain how a revised regional plan must also look at how places work together.
Conor Murphy said: “To be a successful region requires a strong Belfast and a vibrant North West centred on Derry. It will also be important that Government acts in a way which can support and encourage all parts of the North to develop and it will be important that there is joined up approach between our cities, towns and smaller settlements if success is to be achieved.
The Minister concluded by referring to a series of local information events planned for November and early December.
He said: “This review is clearly a very challenging piece of work. It is however a timely piece of work which gives us the opportunity to shape the future of the North over the next 25 years.
“I want to hear as wide a range of views as possible. To help achieve this, I have arranged for a series of local stakeholder events during November and early December. These will be based on the 11 new Council areas. They will be used to get views on issues which influence how places can maximise their development.”
The Department plans to publish a revised document for consultation in Spring 2009.
Notes to Editors:
- Media queries to: Press Office, Department for Regional Development, 028 9054 0372 or out of office hours contact the Duty Press Officer via pager number 076 9971 5440 and your call will be returned.
- The times, dates and venues for the free stakeholder events are below. Anyone interested should contact Louise Fitzpatrick, DRD on 028 9054 0186, or on shapingourfuture@drdni.gov.uk or by textphone on 028 9054 0642.
- Local Government District:
Ballymena Borough Council, Larne Borough Council and Carrickfergus Borough Council - 9.30 am on Thursday 13 November The Braid Town Hall, 1-29 Bridge Street, Ballymena, County Antrim - Local Government District:
Armagh District Council and Fermanagh District Council at 9.30 am on Friday 14 November at Valley Hotel, 60 Main Street, Fivemiletown, County Tyrone - Local Government District:
Antrim Borough Council and Newtownabbey Borough Council at 9.30 am on Friday 14 November at The Hilton Hotel, Castle Upton Estate, Templepatrick - Local Government District:
Lisburn City Council and Castlereagh Borough Council at 9.30 am on Thursday 20 November at the Irish Linen Centre, Market Square, Lisburn - Local Government District:
Magherafelt District Council, Cookstown District Council and Dungannon and South Tyrone Borough Council at 9.30 am on Friday 21 November at Burnavon Arts & Culture Centre, Burn Road, Cookstown - Local Government District:
North Down Borough Council and Ards Borough Council at 9.30 am on Friday 21 November at the Strangford Arms Hotel, 90-92 Church Street Newtownards - Local Government District:
Armagh City and District Council, Banbridge District Council and Craigavon Borough Council at 9.30 am on Thursday 27 November at Portadown Town Hall, 15-17 Edward Street, Portadown - Local Government District:
Coleraine Borough Council, Ballymoney Borough Council, Limavady Borough Council and Moyle District Council at 9.30 am on Thursday 27 November at University of Ulster, Ballywillin Road, Portrush - Local Government District:
Newry and Mourne District Council and Down District Council at 9.30 am on Friday 28 November at Slieve Donard Hotel, Downs Road, Newcastle - Local Government District:
Belfast City Council at 9.30 am on Thursday 4 December at the Northern Ireland Science Park, The Innovation Centre, Queen’s Road, Queen’s Island, Belfast - Local Government District:
Derry City and Strabane District Council at 9.30 am on Friday 5 December at University of Ulster, Magee, Northland Road, Londonderry
