Town centre 'masterplans' for two mid-Ulster town are to be drawn-up.

The NI Department of Social Development (DSD) Minister, Margaret Ritchie has approved the move for both Cookstown and Magherafelt.

The Minister made the announcement following her visit to the two towns last week.

She said: "I was very impressed by the case made to me for the preparation of Town Centre Masterplans when I met with the Town Centre Forums for Magherafelt and Cookstown last week.

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"Taking into account the comments and suggestions made during those meetings, I have decided to proceed immediately with the appointment of consultants.

"These will be prepared under the leadership of DSD, but in association with the two District Councils and the respective Town Centre Forums. I would expect the work to take approximately one year to complete," she said on Wednesday.

"These two new plans will join the almost completed masterplan for Dungannon to provide a trinity of up-to-date documents covering the new Mid Ulster Council area."

The plans will cover the future development of the town centre areas, and will provide guidance for public and private sector projects and development over the next 10 to 15 years.

The consultants are expected to be appointed by the end of March this year, and the two Masterplans should be ready for publication within 12 months.

(BMcC/GK)