Ritchie announces a new enterprise park for Tullycarnet

Social Development Minister Margaret Ritchie MLA today committed £800,000 funding to transform a vacant site and support economic regeneration in East Belfast.

The proposed Tullycarnet Enterprise Park on the Old Dundonald Road covers a total area of 2.4 acres and upon completion in October 2008 will offer 25 office/light industrial units.

The Minister said: “Economic development is a key element of any successful regeneration programme. The Tullycarnet Enterprise Park will provide a new facility that will foster and encourage social and economic opportunities for the local community.

“It will give local people the confidence to implement their business ideas and to contribute to the regeneration of the Tullycarnet area. I am sure that this development will be welcomed by both east Belfast community and business leaders. It will help attract inward investment as well as providing employment and training opportunities for local people.”

The project will be delivered by the Hanwood Trust Ltd, a subsidiary of Castlereagh Borough Council which focuses on the socio-economic regeneration of the Tullycarnet Estate and will be funded jointly by Castlereagh Borough Council and the International Fund for Ireland.

The Mayor of Castlereagh Borough Council, Councillor Myreve Chambers said: “This is the result of our working with the local community and statutory bodies and will be a catalyst for the regeneration of the Tullycarnet and wider Dundonald area. The Council is delighted to be associated with the Hanwood Trust on this project.”

Denis Rooney, Chairman of the International Fund for Ireland said: “The Fund has enjoyed a successful relationship with the Hanwood Trust since providing financial support of almost £80,000 towards Phase 1 in 2003. I am delighted that the Fund will provide further assistance of over £871,000 towards Phase 2 for the development of business start up and retail units in Tullycarnet, East Belfast. Everyone involved with the project is to be congratulated. Ultimately, the work the Fund is investing in now is part of our commitment to building a sustainable and lasting peace for everyone in our society. Without the support of our international donors, the United States, the European Union, Canada, Australia and New Zealand, we could not continue to fund projects cush as the Hanwood project.”

David Hassard, Chairman of the Hanwood Trust commented: “I am absolutely delighted for the people of Tullycarnet and Castlereagh. The Hanwood Trust is an example of best practice, showing how local elected representatives, the community and voluntary sector, statutory organisations and the private sector can come together to work for a common purpose.”

Notes to Editors:

1. This project has been ongoing for 10 years and aims to help the community to achieve its full potential and to take opportunities now available as a result of peace. This development will give local residents the facilities, support and infrastructure that they need to overcome deprivation, segregation and the negative impact of the conflict – towards a new future as an increasingly forward and outward looking community.

2. The Enterprise Park will encourage the creation, adoption and development of an enterprise culture and entrepreneurship within Tullycarnet and the surrounding areas. It aims to create high levels of sustainable local employment through the provision of job opportunities in the enterprise units and to attract investment/business to the area creating a significant improvement in the level and range of services available. This project will also physically improve and enhance the general appearance of the Tullycarnet area.

3. The Neighbourhood Renewal Strategy 'People and Place' was published in June 2003 to close the gap between the quality of life for people in the most deprived neighbourhoods and the rest of society.

4. 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.

5. The International Fund for Ireland is an international organisation established by the Irish and British Governments in 1986 with the objectives of promoting economic and social advance and of encouraging contact, dialogue and reconciliation between unionists and nationalists throughout Ireland. Contributors to the Fund are the United States, the European Union, Canada, Australia and New Zealand. Since its inception, the Fund has committed more than £576m/EUR 849m to a wide variety of projects in Northern Ireland and the border counties.

6. The Fund’s budget for 2007 is £21million/ EUR 31million. Funding priorities include grassroots level reconciliation and cross-community projects. In addition, the Fund seeks to address the root causes of deprivation in the most disadvantaged areas by using shared economic concerns as a platform for regeneration and cross-community activity. The Fund will also continue its pioneering work with children and young people throughout the North and border counties.

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