Margaret Quinn, Down District Council Project Development Manager with Newcastle Councillors Dessie Patterson, Carmel O’Boyle and Willie Clarke in front of seafront properties that were tidied up with the Dereliction Fund[/caption]
A number of building facades throughout several main towns in Down District have received a facelift making the town centres more welcoming places for locals, visitors, tourists and shoppers.
In January 2013, Down District Council successfully made a bid for dereliction funding from the Department of the Environment.
The competitive programme was open to all 26 Councils and Down District Council elected members and officials were delighted that this district was selected.
Following approval from the DOE at the end of January, extensive work was carried out to identify suitable properties, to contact the owners and appoint contractors to undertake the work by the DOE deadline of 31 March.
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The Dereliction Fund has improved the centre of Downpatrick. Pictured are Councillors Dermot Curran, Cadogan Enright, Eamonn Mac Con Midhe, Liam Johnston, Colin McGrath, and John Doris with Council Project Development Manager Margaret Quinn.[/caption]
The scheme included 16 properties spread across Ballynahinch, Downpatrick, Dundrum and Newcastle.
Work included removing vegetation from the properties, tidying gutters and broken windows and the painting of facades. It is hoped that the work undertaken will contribute to an improved appearance in each of the towns and will also assist with regeneration efforts.
Council officials hope that there will be a future dereliction fund call and are currently working on compiling a new list of possible projects including the smaller towns and villages in the district.
Council would welcome suggestions of possible schemes.
If you would like to have a property considered for inclusion in any future proposal, please contact Margaret Quinn, Project Development Manager by email to margaret.quinn@downdc.gov.uk
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Newcastle/Dundrum area councillors Dessie Patterson, Patrick Clarke, Willie Clarke and Carmel O’Boyle, right, with Margaret Quinn, Council Project Development Manager in Dundrum outside a property that has been tastefully boarded up enhancing the appearance of the Main Street.[/caption]
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