Joint approach to beginning the regeneraton of Ballynahinch

Joint approach to beginning the regeneraton of Ballynahinch

26 June 2013

SEVERAL government departments have joined forces to help deliver ambitious regeneration proposals for the Ballyhornan area.

A special working group comprising representatives from the Departments for Social Development, Regional Development, Enterprise Trade and Investment and the Office of the First and Deputy First Ministers has been established.

The move comes after Stormont Social Development Minister Alex Attwood met senior officials from the government departments to identify how to take forward an integrated development plan devised by the Ballyhornan and District Community Association and Down Council.

The plan includes an upgrade of the area’s crumbling roads and sewerage infrastructure, but requires much-needed cash to deliver it.

Residents and community leaders in Ballyhornan have been hoping that a range of government departments would agree to finance various aspects of the village plan as part of a phased approach to regenerating the Ballyhornan area and are delighted the new working group has been established.

South Down MP Margaret Ritchie said she is delighted progress on the much-needed regeneration of the Ballyhornan is being made.

“Minister Attwood has confirmed that a number of government departments have responded positively to his request to establish a Northern Ireland Executive lead working group on the development of Ballyhornan,” she continued.

Miss Ritchie said last month’s meeting was a forerunner to a further “summit” to be held in the near future which will involve the Executive Departments and various key agencies.

The MP continued: “The objective will be to identify practical ways in which the Ballyhornan village development plan can be implemented.

“This is welcome news and the first time that a formal departmental working group has been established by central government to address the infrastructural needs of the Ballyhornan area.