Minister Ritchie praises Suffolk Group for their cross community role

Margaret Ritchie has paid tribute to the Suffolk Lenadoon Interface Group (SLIG) for their role in helping to prevent a sectarian hotspot from developing in the area.

The Minister’s comments came during a visit to the Suffolk Estate in west Belfast where she met some of the people involved in SLIG.

Speaking during her visit the Minister said: “A shared future is the only way forward for Northern Ireland. I commend the Suffolk Lenadoon Interface Group for the role they have played in ensuring that the Stewartstown Road did not develop into a sectarian interface.”

She also acknowledged the level of commitment, vigilance and courage that is necessary to bring about a situation where local people feel at ease living, working and shopping side by side in an area that was once contested space.

Margaret Ritchie said: “I believe there are important lessons to be learned from the Suffolk Lenadoon Interface Group experience. We must all be willing to challenge our own beliefs and prejudices and be prepared to work with our neighbours who may have different beliefs from our own. The bright future we all desire can only be reached if we are all willing to tackle the divisions in our society.”

During the visit the Margaret Ritchie also discussed local housing issues and possible future uses for the Suffolk Primary school, which is due to close in June 2009.

The Minister also reiterated her commitment to the continued regeneration of the Suffolk and Lenadoon estates. From 2005 to date DSD has awarded approximately £1.5million to the Lenadoon and Suffolk areas through the Neighbourhood Renewal Fund.

Margaret Ritchie continued: “Communities are the lifeblood of our towns and cities and I want shared public space, places that people from all communities can access and enjoy to be at the heart of all urban regeneration projects.”

“I hope the cross community cooperation that led to the completion of the Stewartstown Regeneration Road Project will enable more joint projects to be undertaken in the future.”

Notes to Editors:

1. The Stewartstown Road Regeneration Project Limited (SRRP) is a ‘profit-making non-profit taking’ social economy business that supports social, economic, physical and community regeneration of the areas within the Lenadoon Neighbourhood Renewal Area. Its Board includes representatives from the Nationalist Lenadoon and the Unionist Suffolk estates as well as independent membership.
2. Last year SRRP completed a second phase capital build on land which has been granted to them under a 99 year lease by the NI Housing Executive. The site rests on a recognised sectarian interface between the Suffolk and Lenadoon communities. DSD was the largest funder contributing £555,000.
3. Media enquiries to DSD Information Office on 028 90829078/07970 976894. Out of office hours please contact the Duty Press Officer via pager number 07699715440 and your call will be returned.