Council receives £80k to improve look of towns

Mayor Fraser Agnew was joined by councillors at Mossley Mill this week to celebrate the council securing £80,000 of funding from the Department of the Environment towards its Dereliction Intervention Programme 2013/14.
Mayor Fraser Agnew was joined by (l-r) Councillors Audrey Ball, Jim Bingham, Noreen McClelland and Tourism and Events Manager Lisa OKane to celebrate the council securing £80,000 from the DOE to tackle the problem of vacant and derelict properties. INNT 32-501CONMayor Fraser Agnew was joined by (l-r) Councillors Audrey Ball, Jim Bingham, Noreen McClelland and Tourism and Events Manager Lisa OKane to celebrate the council securing £80,000 from the DOE to tackle the problem of vacant and derelict properties. INNT 32-501CON
Mayor Fraser Agnew was joined by (l-r) Councillors Audrey Ball, Jim Bingham, Noreen McClelland and Tourism and Events Manager Lisa OKane to celebrate the council securing £80,000 from the DOE to tackle the problem of vacant and derelict properties. INNT 32-501CON

A wide-ranging programme of works was drawn up in 2012 and since then, works have begun at a number of sites throughout the borough, with others now the subject of planning applications.

A council spokesperson confirmed that negotiations will now commence with the owners of a number of derelict and vacant buildings in Ballyclare and Glengormley with a view to tackling the problem of ‘eyesore’ properties.

At their meeting last week, councillors were informed that properties at Mill Road and North End in Ballyclare, and others on the Antrim Road in Glengormley have been earmarked for demolition or improvement works - a move welcomed by elected representatives as a positive step.

A further programme of works will be put forward to the Department for consideration in the future.

“This funding will be a huge boost in our efforts to address dereliction in our towns. The investment benefits everyone living in the area, as we are all only too aware of eyesores within the communities we live.

“The improvement works will enhance our local environment and help boost tourism and local trade,” Alderman Agnew said.

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