Ritchie welcomes record lottery grant

Social Development Minister Margaret Ritchie MLA today welcomed the Big Lottery £23.5million funding package to the East Belfast Partnership.

Speaking at the announcement of the funding, which will be used to create a 9km linear park through East Belfast, the Minister said:

“This is a signal achievement for the Connswater Community Greenway Project and a significant boost for the people of East Belfast and, indeed, Northern Ireland. We all stand to benefit from this massive investment by the Big Lottery Fund under their Living Landmarks programme.

“This is a key regeneration project for Belfast, fully complementing the Government’s Neighbourhood Renewal Strategy, and will create vibrant public space where people can enjoy country life in the heart of the city.

“I would like to congratulate the East Belfast Partnership for their tremendous vision in developing the concept and on bringing the entire local community and the statutory bodies together to develop the project through extensive consultation. This was true partnership working and clearly demonstrates what can be achieved when we all work together towards a common goal.

“This represents a significant investment by the Big Lottery Fund, their largest to date in Northern Ireland. This clearly demonstrates their commitment to making a real difference to the lives of people here. Since 1995, the Big Lottery Fund has invested in excess of £374million in Northern Ireland providing support for more than 7,000 projects contributing to real improvements to local communities and the people most in need. They have presented us with a wonderful opportunity to deliver real change to the communities of East Belfast.”

Notes to Editors:

1. The total cost of the Connswater Community Greenway is £30million including Belfast City Council £4million, Central Government £3million, Big Lottery £23million.
2. The Greenway is a community led proposal for the creation of a linear park through East Belfast, following the course of the Connswater River.
3. There were 3 NI projects initially shortlisted as ‘Living Landmarks’ – The Giants Park, The Titanic Signature Project and the Connswater Community Greenway. Connswater Community Greenway was the only successful NI Project.
4. The East Belfast Partnership is a broad-based social partnership with community, statutory, political and business members who are dedicated to the regeneration of East Belfast - http://www.eastbelfastpartnership.org
5. Media enquiries only to DSD Information Office on 028 9082 9078. Out of office hours please contact the Duty Press Officer via pager number 076 9971 5440 and your call will be returned.