Social Development Minister Nelson McCausland has launched a 12 week period of public consultation on the Limavady town centre regeneration Masterplan.

The purpose of the Masterplan, which was commissioned by the Department for Social Development and Limavady Borough Council, is to provide strategic guidance for the regeneration and development of Limavady Town Centre over the next 10-15 years.

The Masterplan has identified a number of objectives including:

• Development of new/additional small scale retail units
• Development of modern large footprint retail and commercial units
• Improvements to the Public Realm
• Improved pedestrian entries and connections within and between the proposed Quarters
• Creation of improved civic space within the forecourt of the Borough Council Offices.

Minister McCausland said: "This is an opportunity for anyone with an interest in Limavady to consider the proposals detailed in the Masterplan and have their say on how the town centre will be developed in the years ahead. The delivery of the Masterplan proposals will help the town centre to recover from the recent economic downturn and put it in a better place to maximise investment opportunities when the economic climate improves.

"The opportunities identified in this Masterplan for redevelopment and regeneration will assist with future marketing strategies to attract investors, traders, employers and visitors to Limavady.

"I would strongly urge all those with an interest in the town’s future to let us know what they think about these proposals over the next 12 weeks."

The redevelopment of a number of key opportunity sites and the revitalisation of sections of the Public Realm are identified as key elements in the delivery of the Masterplan. To set a framework within which the regeneration strategy can effectively be delivered, the Masterplan proposes the creation of the four Quarters within the town centre – Retail, Civic, Education and Mixed Use.

(CD)