£13m renewal spend

THE Department of Social Development has spent over £13m renewing neighbourhoods in Londonderry over the past four years - the highest total expenditure outside Belfast.

By The Newsroom

Published 16th Jun 2011, 11:46 BST

Social Development Minister Nelson McCausland advised that £13,573,700 has been invested in neighbourhood renewal since May 2007.

The allocations were £3,320,865 in 2007/8; £2,887,720 in 2008/9; £4,535,902 in 2009/10; and £2,829,213 in 2010/11.

Revealing the expenditure in response to an Assembly Question Mr McCausland said a range of factors influenced allocations including, notably capital projects. “The history of investment in an area from other initiatives or mainstream sources, the size (population) of an area the geographical location and proximity to existing services and the ‘lead-in’ period required to establish structures and produce Neighbourhood Renewal Action Plans will also impact on ability to utilise funds,” he stated.

Belfast