A £290,000 refurbishment project at Bells Lane Allotments in Derriaghy has seen the opening of a new hub.

Bells Lane Allotment Hub features almost 70 plots, as well as a new meeting space including a covered area with benches, additional parking bays and toilets with disabled and baby changing facilities. Kitchen facilities, a garden shed, poly tunnel and raised beds are also available to accommodate a calendar of demonstrations and activities for schools and community groups in the Lisburn Castlereagh area to engage in.

This County Antrim project was part-funded by Lisburn & Castlereagh City Council, the Public Health Agency (PHA) and under Priority 6 (LEADER) of the Northern Ireland Rural Development Programme 2014-2020 by the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA) and the European Union.

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Alderman James Tinsley, Chairman of the council's Leisure & Community Development Committee, said: "We're delighted to be opening this newly developed allotment hub at Bells Lane to address the quality of life, health and wellbeing and sustainability of our area. We're encouraging local groups and individuals to use this new facility to learn about vegetable growing, healthy eating, and biodiversity."

David Tumilty, Health & Social Wellbeing Improvement Manager at the PHA added: "We are delighted to support this innovative approach to community engagement. There is considerable evidence on the benefits of 'grow your own' initiatives in tackling obesity, as well as a range of other issues. In addition to the positive effect that gardening has shown to have on health and wellbeing, it can also help address community and social issues, biodiversity and green space, employment and skills development as well as food security and sustainability. The initiative will also support people to be more physically active, which is good for both body and mind. It can help control weight, protect against heart disease, some cancers, type two diabetes and support good mental health."

(CM/MH)