Saintfield blueprint is unveiled to public

Saintfield blueprint is unveiled to public

4 July 2012 - by David Telford

AN ambitious development plan has been unveiled for Saintfield.

At it’s heart are five key projects which have not only secured the support of local people, but are expected to secure grant-aid.

The new plan has been produced by Saintfield Town Regeneration Committee which will be responsible for spearheading the drive to secure funding for the respective projects.

They include a new community and sports facility at The Demesne where the provision of a new play park is also proposed. A scheme to help shop owners upgrade their premises in the town centre also features in the development plan.

An environmental improvement scheme, focusing on Main Street and Fair Green, is proposed along with a new car park and turning area designed to ease traffic congestion at Academy Primary School at Listooder Road.

Regeneration officials say the development plan aims to improve the quality of life in the area and encourage diversification of economic activity.

People in Saintfield have already been asked for their views on the way forward and while support was expressed for a number of schemes, the five projects at the heart of the development plan received the strongest levels of support.

Regeneration officials say that crucially, the five projects can be delivered with the help of a range of funders, explaining the key priority for the people of Saintfield is a new community and sports facility at The Demesne, the current home of Saintfield cricket and hockey clubs.

Potential projects in the town which require delivery by the private sector or are the responsibility of statutory agencies have not been addressed in detail in the development plan, but are included within the overall action plan as aspirations of the people of Saintfield.

Regeneration chairman Gerry Lowe said the action plan identifies all the projects within the integrated development plan.

He continued: “It highlights who should take the lead on delivery, the priority level of the project, indicative costs associated with the project and the level of support received through questionnaire returns from local people.

“The implementation strategy recommends that the regeneration committee will take ownership and responsibility for future funding applications and stresses the importance of all community and sports groups working together, with everyone pulling resources together for the greater good.”

Mr. Lowe said it is important that all groups in the town are aware of each other’s plans, timescales and priorities to avoid competing against each other for scarce funding opportunities.

The regeneration official said given the high level of interest the development plan has generated, it is vital that improvements do take place and that a new community and sports facility is delivered for Saintfield.

Mr. Lowe added: “Saintfield Town Regeneration Committee would like to thank all those people who took time to study the development proposals during the public consultation exercise and everyone who took the time to fill in questionnaires and give us their thoughts and ideas. Their input into the village plan was invaluable.”