19/04/2007

Minister confirms need for Village regeneration

Social Development Minister David Hanson MP today confirmed the need for long-term regeneration of the Donegall Road/Village area.

Commenting on concerns expressed by local residents groups recently he said: “My Department has been very active in the Greater Village and Sandy Row areas in the last few years. A range of actions designed to develop and support the local communities has been set in hand. This will be carried forward through our work on Neighbourhood Renewal.

“It is clear, however, that the key to longer term regeneration is tackling the significant housing difficulties in the area. I recognise that, my Department recognises that and the Housing Executive recognises that. The Housing Executive has been working hard with the local communities to identify a way forward.

“Proposals for an Urban Renewal Scheme have been developed and these need serious consideration because of the scale of the scheme and the associated significant costs. I recognise, however, that there are still concerns among the local community about the way ahead and I have asked my officials to meet regularly with representatives of the local community to explore the scope for enhancing the scale of housing redevelopment by maximising, for example, investment from the private sector.

He continued: “We need also to see what opportunities arise from the proposals in the Semple Review on Affordable Housing. Through that process I hope that the consensus will be reached as to the scale and nature of regeneration of the area”.

(JM/KMcA)

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