DSD Permanent Secretary visits regeneration work in Ballyclare

Will Haire, Permanent Secretary of the Department for Social Development (DSD) visited Ballyclare today to see the significant regeneration work funded by the Department.

Mr Haire commenced his visit by opening a new play park in the Grange estate. The park received £69,000 through DSD’s Neighbourhood Renewal programme, and was developed in partnership with Newtownabbey Borough Council, who contributed £47,000 to the project.

He then visited the Town Hall to view the draft masterplan proposals to revitalise and regenerate the town centre.

Before leaving Ballyclare, Mr Haire spent some time viewing the improvements made to the public realm in the Square and the Main Street. These were completed with a £1million package of funding, of which £751,000 was provided by DSD.

Will Haire commented: “I am delighted to be here in Ballyclare to see at first hand the regeneration work that the Department, in partnership with Newtownabbey Borough Council, has delivered. DSD is committed to improving the quality of life for everyone in this town, particularly those that are most in need. We want to continue to work in partnership with Newtownabbey Borough Council and others including, the wider community to create a more prosperous town centre. I hope that the children of the Grange estate and the Ballyclare area make full use of the excellent new play facilities, and that all residents and visitors to Ballyclare pause to enjoy the refurbished Square area. I encourage everyone to consider the draft masterplan proposals and let us hear your views on how this once thriving market town can be revitalised and regenerated.”

Mayor of Newtownabbey, Alderman Paula Bradley said: “The enhancements in Ballyclare are a vote of confidence for future regeneration in the town centre. The Council looks forward to continuing to work in partnership with the statutory, private and community sectors to make Ballyclare an attractive place to work, visit, live and invest.

"The fantastic Play Park in Grange has been long awaited by the community and its opening has brought a smile to the faces of the children. It takes dedication and commitment to achieve a project like this and I would like to pay tribute to the members of Grange Neighbourhood Renewal Partnership.”

The draft masterplan proposals will be on public display for an eight week consultation period until the end of August. These are now available to view in the foyer of Newtownabbey Borough Council Offices at Mossley Mill throughout the consultation period. They will also be on the Department for Social Development (http://www.dsdni.gov.uk) and Newtownabbey Borough Council (http://www.newtownabbey.gov.uk) websites during the same period.

Notes to editors:

1. The total amount of funding committed to the Ballyclare Neighbourhood Renewal Area to date is £564,368.
2. The draft masterplan proposals have been produced by Scott Wilson Plc in association with Tribal (UK) Ltd and Colliers CRE and this work is being funded by DSD.
3. The overall cost of improvements in the Square and Main Street was over £1million of which DSD funding was £751,000. Other funders included DRD Roads Service and Newtownabbey Borough Council. Work on the Square was completed in July 2009 and on Main Street in April 2010.
4. Media enquiries to DSD Information Office on 028 9082 9078 / 078 7576 5455. Out of office please contact the Duty Press Officer via pager number 076 9971 5440 and your call will be returned.