Funding boost given to Ballyhornan plans

Funding boost given to Ballyhornan plans

12 February 2014

RESIDENTS in Ballyhornan are tomorrow night being asked to play a key role helping shape environmental improvements in the area aimed at boosting tourism potential.

The Ballyhornan and District Community Association has secured grants totalling £28,000 to employ an architect to transfer people’s ideas on to paper so work can start to implement them on the ground.

The community group has also secured money to assist with construction costs and explore other potential funders to secure additional finance for other environmental projects.

Residents are also being offered the chance to attend training days on topics around conservation and gardening which are being co-ordinated by staff from the Rural Development Council.

Initial funding for the  improvements has been secured from the Challenge Fund whose income is generated by the plastic bag tax, with just over £2m set aside this

year to finance schemes across the Province.

Mrs. Patricia Curran, chairwoman of the Ballyhornan Community Centre, is inviting people to the village’s family centre tomorrow night between 7pm and 8.30pm for the first in a series of public consultation meetings and information events.

The sessions will be hosted by a design team from ARD Ciaran Mackle Architects with Mrs. Curran delighted finance for environmental improvements has been secured.

“The Challenge Fund projects will raise awareness and understanding of our coastal environment, develop plans for short and long term environmental improvements and get the local community involved in the design, planting and maintenance of the projects,” she explained.

“Areas set to feature in the scheme include Killard Square and Killard Drive in Bishopscourt, Tullyronan and Ballyhornan village centre.”

Mrs. Curran said residents and visitors to Ballyhornan are struck by the contrast between the beauty of the coastal environment and the areas of dereliction within the village.

“Residents are desperately keen to ensure the built environment blends with the beauty of the natural environment,” she continued.

Over the next few weeks, residents will be asked to participate in a number consultation and information events in the village’s family centre which will explore potential environmental improvements with local communities, statutory, business, elected and voluntary partners.

Mrs. Curran added: “We have some ideas already around what projects local people would like to see on the ground, from community allotments to bird boxes to tree planting.

“The community is excited at the prospect of the sensitive development of this long neglected area and the potential for it to become a tourism destination, encompassing both the rich history of the area, the wonderful Marine Nature Reserve and Strangford and Lecale Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.”