News Release Page Title

28 March 2006

HANSON ANNOUNCES £737,000 CASH BOOST FOR WEST BELFAST

People in the Colin area of West Belfast will benefit from £737,000 from the Department for Social Development (DSD).

David Hanson MP delivered the news during a visit to Cloona House and Colin Glen Trust. The Neighbourhood Renewal money, which is being provided by DSD's Belfast Regeneration Office, will be used to support a range of community-based activities and facilities including:

  • new play equipment in the grounds of Christ the Redeemer Church,

  • a new multi-use games area at White's Rise

  • work to improve the appearance of sites associated with anti-social behaviour including Colin Glen Forest Park and the entrance to Colin Valley Golf Club on Black's Road.

  • four community development workers for Colin Neighbourhood Partnership.

  • the appointment of a specialist consultant to complete a feasibility study for the proposed creation of a town centre for the Colin area.

The Minister said: "I am encouraged that local residents, political representatives, community and voluntary sector workers and private business are working together and with Government toward a shared goal of improving the Colin neighbourhood. This is a very positive step.

"No one group can deal with all the problems associated with disadvantage on its own. Efforts to regenerate deprived neighbourhoods must be based on real partnerships. An integrated approach is also essential. This involves new ways of thinking and working but is necessary to ensure that the significant resources which Government makes available have a lasting impact.

"The Action Plan developed by the Colin Neighbourhood Partnership will be vital in informing Government where best to target resources, be it developing the confidence of local residents to improve the quality of life in this area, supporting economic growth, improving social conditions through better co-ordinated public services or the creation of safer and more attractive environments."

 The Minister also acknowledged the work being done in the Colin area by other public sector bodies including the Northern Ireland Housing Executive and the local Health and Social Services Trust and Education and Library Board.

NOTES TO EDITORS:

1. Neighbourhood Renewal has four interlinking objectives to: develop confident communities that are able and committed to improving the quality of life in their areas;

  • develop economic activity in the most deprived neighbourhoods and connect them to the wider economy;

  • improve social conditions for the people who live in the most deprived neighbourhoods through better co-ordinated public services and the creation of safer environments; and

  • help create attractive, safe, sustainable environments in the most deprived neighbourhoods.

Neighbourhood Renewal Areas have been created around the urban areas shown in the official deprivation measures to be among the most disadvantaged 10% of areas in Northern Ireland.

2. The projects benefiting from today's announcement are:

  • Colin Neighbourhood Partnership - £133,000 for four community development workers to implement a holistic plan to address the needs of residents living in Poleglass, Twinbrook, Lagmore and Kilwee. Contact: Ciaran Sheehan, Chairman Neighbourhood Partnership, Unit W4, the Colin Centre, Stewartstown Road. Telephone: 028 9062 3813

  • Lagmore Community Development Partnership - over £42,000 for a much needed new playground in Lagmore Drive. It will benefit children living in the Glendowan, Altan and Fox's Glen housing estates as well as those whose parents are participating in the nearby Surestart programme. The playground will be on land owned by the Catholic Church and will be maintained by Lisburn City Council. Contact: Fr John Forsythe, Christ the Redeemer Church, 16 Lagmore Grove, Dunmurry. Telephone: 028 9030 9011.

  • Lisburn City Council - over £265,000 for a play and multi-use games area for local children and young people. The land, valued at £500,000, is owned by the Northern Ireland Housing Executive. It has agreed to transfer it to the Council which is contributing £34,000. Belfast Improved Housing is providing fencing valued at £8,000. The total cost of the project is £807,000.

  • Colin Glen Trust - over £95,000 to refurbish two public access entrances and an access road at Colin Valley Golf Club on Black's Road. The project developed out of the need for a quick response to local anti-social and criminal activity that was on the increase around theses particular sites. The proposal was led by a local Sinn Fein Councillor and MLA, Michael Ferguson. In their current condition the sites, including a sectarian interface, are viewed as enablers and contributors to anti-social and criminal behaviour. It is anticipated that new fencing, lighting and permanent boundaries will discourage trespassing and concealment and prevent their use as sites that facilitate gatherings of youths.

  • The Trust is also getting over £52,000 to improve Colin Glen Forest Park's pathways and entrances, for new signage and a footbridge. The Park is currently used by over 200,000 visitors a year. It is hoped this figure will increase by six-11 % by making the Park more attractive and safe. Contact: Tim Duffy. Chief Executive, Colin Glen Trust, forest Park Centre, 163 Stewartstown Road, Belfast. Telephone: 028 9061 4115.

  • Lisburn City Council - £150,000 from the Integrated Development Fund to complete a feasibility study for the proposed creation of a town centre for the Colin area.

3 A potential £21.7m package is currently available from the IDF in the West Belfast and Greater Shankill area. IDF funding has been agreed for 11 projects within the Task Force areas. The total cost of these projects is £37.8m, of which the IDF element is £7.4m. The balance of the funding support will be provided by a range of other sources.

All the projects have been endorsed by the Colin Neighbourhood Partnership. The total value is approximately £738,000.

4. In the last year the Colin area has received approximately £2million from the Department for Social Development to tackle disadvantage. It has supported the Footprints Women's Centre, helped establish the Colin Neighbourhood Partnership by providing a local office and a Neighbourhood Manager and improved the appearance of the area through the Glasvey environmental improvement scheme and the Colin Celebration Garden.

5. For media enquiries, please contact the Information Office 028 9082 9078.

    Click here to print this press release.