Tremendous Interest In Urban Development Pilot Scheme

20 July 2006
TREMENDOUS INTEREST IN URBAN DEVELOPMENT PILOT SCHEME
A pilot scheme to revive derelict land or buildings has attracted almost one hundred expressions of interest in just four weeks.
The Urban Development Grant pilot scheme, launched by DSD in May 2006, provides a total of Ł1.25m to suitable projects in Ballymoney, Dungannon, Lurgan, Larne and Strabane. Expressions of interest have come from both developers and property owners across the targeted towns.
Welcoming the extensive interest in the scheme, Social Development Minister David Hanson said: "Previously Urban Development Grants were restricted to parts of Belfast and Londonderry. As a pilot, the scheme was broadened to include five towns across Northern Ireland which we judged could benefit.
"There has been a tremendous response from developers, many of them local, who have expressed an interest in getting involved. Some very visionary and creative proposals have been submitted. While not all of these ideas can be taken forward, the interest by developers does offer a great opportunity to breathe new life into the centres of the towns concerned.
"Such a positive response to the pilot scheme is a clear demonstration of the desire of local developers and property owners to have a real say in how their towns are revitalised.
"Their willingness to work in partnership with the Department bodes well for the future and can make a real difference at local level."
The Department will now be further evaluating the proposed projects to determine which will be supported and, as part of this, will contact all those that expressed an interest shortly.
NOTES TO EDITORS:
Previously Urban Development Grants have been available only in parts of Belfast and Londonderry. The pilot scheme extending the eligible area to Ballymoney, Dungannon, Lurgan, Larne and Strabane was launched on 11 May 2006.

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