Cost of new Saintfield park has risen owing to inflation

Cost of new Saintfield park has risen owing to inflation

16 August 2023

CONSTRUCTION costs of Saintfield’s new community heritage park have increased, it has been confirmed.

The news has been confirmed by Saintfield Community Association chairman Mr Martyn Todd, who has revealed the costs have spiked between 20% and 30% since the Windmill Park regeneration project’s estimates costs were revealed two years ago.

The new park — which has secured formal planning approval — is to be developed on land adjacent to the town’s Belfast Road community centre.

Writing in the latest edition of Saintfield News, Mr Todd said the final round of public consultation for the park has been completed, thanking everyone who shared their views and suggestions. 

He confirmed the consultant team has taken these on board and is now finalising the design for the layout of paths in the new park.

Mr Todd explained that due to inflation, construction costs have increased by 20% to 30% since the project’s original estimates two years ago.

As a result, he said “difficult decisions” will have to ensure the project remains within budget. 

“We are very grateful that our American benefactor, David Moffett, has again made a very generous donation to the project. 

“He has recently given 100,000 dollars which is the necessary match funding for the grant we will apply to the National Lottery Heritage Fund for by the end of the year.

“The consultant we appointed to provide the interpretation plan (which Saintfield heritage stories to tell, and how and where to tell them) has held a workshop with local groups to prioritise which heritage stories are the most interesting and important.”

Mr Todd said while the Saintfield area has a particularly rich heritage, not all of it can be included in the Windmill Park project, confirming that the interpretation plan should be completed by the end of this month. 

He said the project’s next major step is to provide The National Lottery Heritage Fund with a full report on the progress of the development phase which it has grant-aided. 

Mr Todd said if the funders are satisfied with the results, they will invite the Saintfield Community Association to apply for a so-called delivery phase grant, which is likely to be in the order of £750,000. 

“If this application is successful, the grant, plus David Moffett’s donation, will provide enough funding for an excellent outdoor shared space for our community for generations to come,” he added.