Regeneration boost for Ballycastle

Social Development Minister Margaret Ritchie today announced funding to help develop a strategy to regenerate Ballycastle.

During a visit to the North coast resort, the Minister said: “Ballycastle is one of the main resort towns in Northern Ireland. It attracts large numbers of visitors throughout the year and makes an important contribution to tourism on the North Coast. It is important that we continue to invest in the future growth and development of the town.

“That is why I am happy to be able to today announce that my Department has awarded funding of almost £95,000 towards the costs of employing a Project Officer to draw up and implement a strategy for Ballycastle. A good strategy, which sets out the vision and future direction for development is absolutely essential to ensure that any town meets its full potential. I am sure that this funding will make an enormous contribution to achieving this aim in Ballycastle.”

Cllr Madeleine Black, Chairperson of Moyle District Council, welcomed the Minister to Ballycastle and said: “The Council’s relationship with the Department of Social Development is excellent. Over the last few years Ballycastle has received grant funding for numerous town improvement projects and we welcome this additional funding to employ a Project Officer who will work with the Board to identify a vision and agree an action plan and strategy for the future development and sustainability of Ballycastle, as a major market town in Northern Ireland”.

Michael Molloy, Chairman of the Ballycastle Town Partnership added: “The Ballycastle Town Partnership was established in 2006 with its main objective the promotion of social, economic and environmental development of Ballycastle. This latest funding will enable the partnership to investigate the potential for future growth and development within Ballycastle. It comes at an opportune time as Ballycastle continues to develop opportunities within the tourism and economic sectors. On behalf of the Partnership, I wish to thank the Minister and her colleagues within the Department who have worked so hard to ensure this latest scheme has come to fruition.”

The Minister met local councillors and members of the Ballycastle Town Partnership during a two hour visit to the town. During her visit, she saw the results of a range of projects which have been undertaken in the town over the past three years with funding from her Department, including environmental improvement schemes and the new brand identity for Ballycastle.

NOTES TO EDITORS:

1. During her visit, the Minister met members of Moyle District Council and Ballycastle Town Partnership and had an opportunity to see some projects which have been supported by her Department. These include:

• A new fountain at the seafront. The project cost £150,000, of which £100,000 was provided by DSD and £50,000 by Moyle District Council.
• The new boundary wall around the Quay Road playing fields. The project cost £79,226. DSD’s contribution was £74,726.
• Environmental Improvements in Ann Street from the Diamond to the Quay Road junction. DSD provided £231,244 towards the total cost of £334,744. The remainder was provided by DRD Roads Service.
• Environmental Improvements on North Street scheme between Quay Road and Strandview Road. The total cost was £236,000 of which DSD contributed £191,387, the remainder by DRD for road resurfacing.

2. DSD has also provided funding of £20,000 towards the costs of a £40,000 Town Centre Promotions and Marketing project for Ballycastle to run between April 2006 and March 2008. The funding has been used to develop a promotional film for the town and to develop a new brand image.

3. Most recently, DSD has provided £94,752 to Moyle District Council towards the costs of employing a Project Officer to develop and begin the implementation of a strategy for Ballycastle town centre. The funding will run to March 2009.

4. For further information, contact the DSD Information Office on 028 9082 9078