Belfast City Council has made improvements to plans for a new public park and play park in the Colin area.

In partnership with Urban Villages Initiative the initial proposals were outlined during a public consultation in and 95% of people responded positively to the new park at Stewartstown Road.

Chair of Belfast City Council's Strategic Policy and Resources Committee, Councillor Deirdre Hargey, said: "We'd like to thank everyone who has taken part in the consultation so far and provided us with such positive and constructive feedback. We've now considered all of the responses and we've made some improvements to our plans as a result.

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"We're delighted to work in partnership with the Urban Villages Initiative, to progress this important project which will help to develop a thriving, welcoming and shared space in Colin.

"We hope that work on site will begin in early 2018, subject to securing investment and planning approval this year."

Accessible and sensory play equipment in the new playground has been increased from the original proposal and the council has taken on board the PSNI's advice regarding the prevention of antisocial behaviour, including making the hedging along the Stewartstown Road low level to make the park more visible from the road. Boundary fencing along the woodland has also been added to deter scrambler access from Colin Glen.

Belfast City Council will also be working to make entrances to the park as safe as possible for pedestrians, including working with the Department for Infrastructure to make the road crossing from the Belfast Rapid Transit Hub prominent and safe.

(CD/MH)