Write a commentThirteen villages in the Newry and Mourne Council area have completed their Village Renewal Plans. The plans were undertaken across the district in 2012.
Through the SOAR partnership, this project was part funded under the Axis 3 of the Northern Ireland Rural Development Programme 2007-2013 by the European Union and the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development.
Following the appointment of URS Consultants, they worked in partnership with local Councillors, Council Officials and a host of local community and voluntary groups over a number of months in 2012 to produce the finalised plans.
With the plans now completed, it is intended that they can be used both by and for the benefit of local communities in terms of taking forward identified projects.
Councillor John McArdle, Mayor of Newry & Mourne District Council stated ‘The plans contain a range of short, medium and long term projects, which will be able to benefit not only from current funding measures such as SOARs Rural Development Programme (Measure 3.5), but from other relevant grant aid initiatives that become available’.
TADA and County Down RCN as local sub regional rural development networks covering South Armagh and South Down are now keen to work with groups and organisations in taking forward the plans and developing relationships at a local level that will see identified projects being pushed forward.
The Village areas were:
Crossmaglen, Culloville & Creggan Cluster
Cullyhanna / Dorsey
Mullaghbane
Whitecross / Ballymoyer
Bessbrook / Camlough
Jerresspass / Lurganare
Newtownhamilton
Altnamackin / Cortamlet
Annalong / Ballymartin / Longstone / Mullartown-Glassdrumman Cluster
Rostevor / Killowen
Mayobridge
Hilltown
Barnmeen
Any individual or group interested in learning more about the plans are asked to go to the Council’s website and view the plans online. www.newryandmourne.gov.uk
