'Facelift' planned for Limavady town

The Minister for Social Development Margaret Ritchie has appointed international consultants from the RPS Group to scour the town over the next few months and identify areas which need regenerated. A masterplan for the town, which will assess vacant and disused sites and plans for town centre development, will be completed by the end of the year. Announcing the news, the Minster for Social Development said: "The appointment of consultants with international experience to prepare a town centre masterplan marks an important phase in the overall regeneration of Limavady. My Department is committed to working with Limavady Borough Council and other statutory organisations to help regenerate the town centre. This detailed masterplan will form the basis for strategic and integrated regeneration activities in the coming years."

The masterplan will inform the priorities for development in the town centre and provide in particular; an agreed strategy for town centre development; an assessment of the development potential of vacant and under used sites within the town centre; and suggestions for public realm enhancements to support the regeneration objectives and complement the recommendations for restructuring and redevelopment of various buildings/sites.

Mayor of Limavady, councillor Cathal hOisn called the news "an important opportunity for Limavady".

Councillor hOisn said: "This is an exciting announcement for Limavady, especially at a time when rural towns such as ours continue to struggle during the economic downturn. We look forward to working with the Department for Social Development and engaging the local community to play their part in this new development. I am sure that councillors, residents and business people will recognise what an important opportunity this is for Limavady - we encourage everyone to participate in this important project."

Work to prepare the masterplan will commence immediately and is expected to be completed before the end of the year.