Committee Visits Coleraine to See Town Centre Regeneration

The Assembly’s Committee for Social Development today visited Coleraine Borough Council. Following their meeting, Members received a briefing from Council officials on local Neighbourhood Renewal schemes.  

The Committee also visited the Waterside area of the town which is to benefit from the Coleraine Revitalise Programme which is facilitated by Coleraine Borough Council and heard from the Programmes’ Steering Group about the regeneration opportunities that the initiative provides.

Chairperson of the Committee for Social Development Alex Maskey MLA said: “My Committee has been very impressed by what it has seen and heard in Coleraine today. The benefits of these schemes are clear to see and underline that effective partnerships are essential if continued progress is to be made in revitalising our town centres and neighbourhoods.  Coupled with the necessary energy and vision, the projects the Committee heard about today can help to establish vibrant economic centres and sustainable communities.

“The Committee was particularly interested to hear more about the recently launched I’M HAPPY project. The project is provided under the umbrella of Neighbourhood Renewal in conjunction with the University of Ulster, Coleraine and helps young people in disadvantaged areas to develop new skills in the field of computing, a growing area of employment.  This type of initiative adds to the sense of an area working coherently towards a sustainable future.

Mr Maskey concluded: “Importantly, we must consider how the experience and skills developed as a result of these projects can be shared beyond specific council areas so that the local investment ultimately benefits all of our people and communities”

ENDS