Hanson Seeks To Improve Housing In The Village

5 December 2006
HANSON SEEKS TO IMPROVE HOUSING IN THE VILLAGE

The Minister for Social Development today announced that he has asked the Housing Executive to develop proposals for the future regeneration of the Village area of South Belfast.
The Minister explained, "The Village is one of the most strategically placed parts of Belfast given its close proximity to the hospitals, the university and the city centre. However it is failing to take full advantage of its location and consequently is falling behind other areas where private sector investment has helped create balanced communities with a mix of tenures and residents spanning the owner occupied, social rented and private rented sectors.
"The Housing Executive has, for some time, been working with the local community and elected representatives to assess the barriers to regeneration and develop proposals which might help to improve conditions in the area and assist in the creation of a balanced sustainable community and I have asked them to prepare a full economic appraisal so that I can consider the most suitable option for bringing this forward."
The Minister concluded: "I am aware that the local community has expectations, however there are many issues to be taken into account not least the scale of Government intervention, the cost of this, the timing of any work and, most importantly, the impact on the local community and I would expect any proposals drawn up by the Housing Executive, in consultation with the local community, to take into account these competing demands."
NOTES TO EDITORS:
Media enquiries to DSD Information Office on 028 9082 9497.

Click here to print this press release.