Ballynahinch area may be refurbished

Ballynahinch area may be refurbished

PLANS are to be drawn up to regenerate the area around the Windmill Street car park in Ballynahinch.

The area is not included in a current scheme to redevelop a large part of the centre of Ballynahinch with new paving, street lighting and seating.

However, there are plans to include the area around Windmill Street car park and nearby Harmony Way in a future regeneration scheme.

Funding provided by the Department for Social Development is currently helping transform Ballynahinch town centre and has already helped finance major regeneration schemes in Newcastle and Downpatrick.

But things change from next year when responsibility for town centre regeneration transfers to Northern Ireland’s new super councils when they come into being.

Down Council is merging with its neighbour in Newry and Mourne in 12 months’ time, with the newly merged council handed a range of additional powers.

Ahead of the formal launch of the new council, councillors Anne McAleenan and Terry Andrews have secured agreement from Down Council to draw up plans for the redevelopment of Windmill Street and Harmony Way now so the scheme is ready to go in a year’s time.

“These two areas of Ballynahinch were not included in the original Ballynahinch scheme as there was not enough funding,” explained councillor McAleenan.

“By having the plans for the regeneration of Windmill Street and Harmony Way ready to go next year, it will mean the new council can hopefully allocate the money to allow this to happen.”

Councillor McAleenan believes that regenerating these two key areas of the market town will also encourage business owners to invest in their respective premises,.

Councillor Terry Andrews said Harmony Way is the main pedestrian link between Main Street and Windmill Street and is heavily used.

“Redeveloping this part of Ballynahinch is a key element in the overall regeneration of the town. With designs in place I hope money to allow work at these two locations to start next year can be made available.”