Renewal programme for Limavady borough

A trim trail, trike track, youth shelter and more development work will be carried out over the coming months with the promise of more being done to improve the area by Limavady Neighbourhood Renewal Partnership. The group was derived from a funding programme set up by the Department for Social Development in 2003 and since then through the Neighbourhood Renewal Strategy areas such as the Coolessan Ward have been earmarked for improval. The Hospital Lane Estate, Glens Estate, Josephine Avenue and the Roe Mill Road are some of the areas in Limavady and across Northern Ireland which have been identified as areas requiring renewal action plans. The Limavady Neighbourhood Renewal Partnership consists of representatives from all the agencies such as the Northern Ireland Housing Executive (NIHE), Police Service Northern Ireland (PSNI), Western Health and Social Care Trust (WH&SCT), Department of Employment (DE), Limavady Borough Council (LBC), Western Education and Library Board (WELB), and Department of Education and Learning (DEL) and the local community groups.

A three year Action Plan developed under four key themes, Community Renewal, Social Renewal, Physical Renewal and Economic Renewal has greatly benefited two of the main community groups in the town, the Roe Valley Residents Association and The Glens Community Association have benefited greatly with Neighbourhood Renewal funding. Limavady Community Development Initiative (LCDI) has also received funding for a Full Time Advice Officer. Two full time Project Coordinators and Administrators are in place to support the groups in reaching their full potential. The community centres in the areas have also received extensive internal refurbishments to help them deliver better services to their communities. The Hospital Lane estate has also received new street lighting and footpaths.

The areas also benefit from a full time Advice Officer who runs outreach advice clinics within each centre on weekly bases. In the near future a full-time Youth Officer, who will be based in both centres, and a Learning Mentor, based in the local High schools, will be in place to help and support young people in the areas and local schools. This Neighbourhood Renewal Funding also helps to fund the Community Warden Scheme in partnership with the Community Safety Partnership. It also supports and Health Development Officer who works closely with the community groups in delivering health and well being programmes in both areas.

Speaking on the work the partnership carries out Ursula McCressh, Neighbourhood Renewal Officer for Limavady Borough Council, said: "The work the Neighbourhood Renewal Partnership has done, and continues to do in these areas is totally life changing for residents. It is vital the work continues and conditions continue to improve. I would like to thank all those individuals, community groups and agencies who have contributed so much and worked so hard in making these changes and this Partnership possible."

Neighbourhood Renewal is starting to make huge differences in the named areas and with the help of all agencies involved, this will continue until 2011.