Ritchie welcomes new shared future community at Pond Park

Social Development Minister Margaret Ritchie MLA has welcomed the establishment of a new Shared Future scheme in Lisburn.

Margaret Ritchie today visited the 112 home scheme at Pond Park which has been transformed from former military housing into a new Shared Future neighbourhood, home to families of different religious and cultural backgrounds.

Margaret Ritchie said: “When I launched the New Housing Agenda I made it my priority to do everything in my power to deliver housing for those in greatest need. I also laid out my vision for providing Shared Future housing for the many people who want it.

“The Pond Park Shared Neighbourhood goes beyond meeting housing need. It creates a sustainable community that is welcoming to all and reflects the future of housing in Northern Ireland. The growing desire of people within Northern Ireland to live in mixed communities is evident here in Pond Park where residents from every walk of life have declared their commitment to live together, and support each other, by signing the Shared Future Neighbourhood Charter.”

During the visit Ms Ritchie met the recently formed Pond Park Community Group and presented a £1,000 donation to chairperson, Maria Baker, to help fund community initiatives such as fun days, day trips, coffee mornings, and quiz nights and to help establish a ‘mother and toddler’ group within the area.

Minister Ritchie also presented a prize to local children Colm and Emma-Louise Bailey who designed the winning logo for the new community group.

Pond Park was refurbished by Oaklee Housing Association in 2009 and has now been fully allocated.

Notes to editors:

1. This scheme consisting of 112 three bedroomed houses was refurbished by Oaklee Housing Association in 2009 and has now been fully allocated. The residential make-up of the area included families from both main religious traditions in Northern Ireland as well as foreign national families. All of the Pond Park residents have signed the Shared Future Neighbourhood Charter.
2. Oaklee Housing Association is one of 32 housing associations registered with the Department for Social Development. Oaklee is a major contributor to the social housing programme with in the region of 4,500 units throughout Northern Ireland.
3. The Pond Park Community Group is comprised of 12 Pond Park Tenants representative of the residential make-up of the area and was constituted in February 2010.
4. The children of Pond Park were asked to design a logo for the newly formed Pond Park Community Group that would represent a cohesive community in which people are drawn together.
5. Media enquiries to DSD Information Office on 028 9082 9497. Out of office hours please contact Duty Press Officer via pager number 07699 715 440 and your call will be returned.