Hanson Launches Living Over The Shops Scheme In Lurgan

18 July 2006
HANSON LAUNCHES LIVING OVER THE SHOPS SCHEME IN LURGAN
An initiative that encourages people to live in the centre of towns was today extended to Lurgan.
Social Development Minister David Hanson MP said that the Town Centre Living Area Initiative (TCLAI) brought together his Department's housing and regeneration programmes.
The Living Over the Shop (LOTS) scheme aims to promote private rented residential accommodation over shops in town and city centres as an added value to town centre regeneration.
The Minister explained: "Housing and regeneration go hand in hand. Having a decent energy efficient home brings many benefits in terms of health, employment and educational opportunities.
"Good quality housing is also essential for area regeneration and community development. As well as having a good home to live in people also like to live in a pleasant and safe environment."
Following the success of the pilot schemes in Lisburn and Londonderry, the Housing Executive wrote to district councils inviting applications for Town Centre Living Initiative Areas for consideration. Lurgan is one of four new areas to have been included in the award of TCLAI status for 2006.
Both Craigavon Borough Council and the Housing Executive aim to deliver a high quality regeneration programme that also enhances the existing character of the buildings and creates a vibrant town centre for Lurgan.
The Minister continued: "I congratulate Banbridge, Cookstown, Dungannon and Craigavon Councils on their achievement of Town Centre Living Area Initiative status this year. I would encourage those councils that did not succeed in this year's round to persevere and I would say to those councils that have not yet applied, do so.
"These initiatives, through partnership working, can help to encourage investment opportunities and create vibrant town centres that can be enjoyed by citizens and visitors alike."
NOTES TO EDITORS:
1. Each Town Centre Living Initiative will be pro-actively led and promoted by the District Council with the Housing Executive providing support.
2. Financial incentives may be available, including improvement grants, Townscape Heritage Initiative and tax relief for landlords through the Chancellor's Capital Allowances.
3. The maximum grant amount available under the LOTS initiative is Ł25,000 (Renovation Grants) or Ł30,000 (Houses in Multiple Occupation (HMO) Grants). The Grant is set at 75% of the approved cost of the eligible works for landlords and is subject to a test of resources for owner-occupiers. Grants will also be available to convert a whole property into flats or a dwelling house for letting.

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