Regeneration pledge for Belfast’s Village area

A Stormont minister has promised to promote regeneration for the rundown Village area of south Belfast.

Social Development Minister Margaret Ritchie MLA was speaking as she made her first visit to the Village to see conditions first hand. She walked around the area and met local politicians and community representatives.

The Minister said: “This visit has been high on my agenda since I came into office, just one month ago. I wanted to visit the area, meet local people and see housing conditions for myself.

“I have no doubt that some of these houses are unfit for habitation. I accept this and my Department accepts this and we carefully examining the Housing Executive’s proposals for renewal work. I am committed to ensuring that the housing problems are addressed as quickly as possible.

“We must also ensure that a balance is struck between the wholesale demolition of housing, some of which is still perfectly acceptable, and the retention of the essential character of the Village.”

While other parts of south Belfast have flourished, residents in the Village have been living in squalor. Some of the houses that are privately rented have outdoor toilets, no bathrooms and no central heating.

Commenting on the need for a balanced and comprehensive regeneration of the area, Ms Ritchie added: “There is more to reviving a community than simply providing new houses. It is important that we are able together a regeneration strategy that includes action to revitalise the entire area, its economy and facilities. To move this forward, the Belfast Regeneration Office, part of my Department, has invested almost £2 million in community development and physical regeneration projects in the Village area since 2004.”

She concluded: “The Village community has my commitment as we take this important work forward.”

(JM/SP)