McCausland support
for improvements

The Northern Ireland Executive through the Department for Social Development provided funding of £47,300 towards this interim improvement scheme.

Welcoming the completion of the Ballymoney improvement scheme, the Minister said: “I recently visited Ballymoney and saw the impact for myself that this project was offering to the image of the town, enhancing the appearance of those derelict properties.

“Whilst the completion of this project is a very positive development for Ballymoney town centre, these shop front improvements are only meant to serve as a short term solution.

“In the longer term, development options are being put forward for this site in the towns’ draft masterplan, which I launched in June. The masterplan will provide direction for the economic regeneration of the town over the next two decades.”

He added: “It is very important that we find out what local people think about the proposed options in the town’s draft masterplan, so that we can agree what is needed for the area in the future.”

Commenting on the improvement works, Alderman Bill Kennedy, Chair of Council Development Committee, said: “The virtual street scheme features elements of the commercial life and culture of the town and will, I believe, create interest and increase civic pride.”

The draft Ballymoney Masterplan consultation launched on 20 June and will be on display locally to 12 September 2013.

Alternatively, it can be viewed on line at http://www.dsdni.gov.uk/index/consultations/consultations-ballymoney-masterplan-survey.htm and at http://www.ballymoney.gov.uk