Following a visit to EAGA the company that manages the Department for Social Development’s Warm Homes Scheme, the Minister visited Dungannon West Renewal’s development at Ballysaggart Business Park. Work is ongoing on an extension to the business park at Beech Valley Way. When complete, it will comprise over 30,000 square feet of commercial workspace and community facilities. During her tour the Minister met members of Dungannon West Renewal, South Tyrone Empowerment Programme and Ballygawley Road Community Association. She also called in to Drumshee Nursery, which is located in the complex, where she met teacher Bronagh Hamill and some of the pupils.
DSD is contributing £127,000 to the extension work under the Neighbourhood Renewal Strategy.
Ms Ritchie commented: “The Neighbourhood Renewal Strategy seeks to ensure that people living in disadvantaged areas enjoy a quality of life that is just good as anywhere else in Northern Ireland. One of its main aims is to encourage economic activity. Schemes such as this at Ballysaggart are typical of what we are trying to achieve, giving local people the opportunity, tools and confidence to implement their business ideas. The Board of Dungannon West Renewal are to be congratulated for their tireless efforts to make the project happen.”
It is anticipated that work will be complete around January 2008, providing employment opportunities for approximately 12 people.
Notes to Editors:
1.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.
2.The 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.
3.Dungannon Neighbourhood Renewal Area includes housing estates at Ballygawley Road, Fairmount and part of Milltown.
4.Media enquiries to DSD Information Office on 028 9082 9078. Out of office hours please contact the Duty Press Officer via pager number 07699 715 440 and your call will be returned.
