Social Development Minister Margaret Ritchie has announced funding to help develop a strategy to regenerate Ballycastle.

During a visit to the North coast resort yesterday, the Minister said: “Ballycastle is one of the main resort towns in Northern Ireland. It attracts large numbers of visitors throughout the year and makes an important contribution to tourism on the North Coast. It is important that we continue to invest in the future growth and development of the town.

“That is why I am happy to be able to today announce that my Department has awarded funding of almost £95,000 towards the costs of employing a Project Officer to draw up and implement a strategy for Ballycastle. A good strategy, which sets out the vision and future direction for development is absolutely essential to ensure that any town meets its full potential. I am sure that this funding will make an enormous contribution to achieving this aim in Ballycastle.”

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Madeleine Black, Chairperson of Moyle District Council, welcomed the Minister to Ballycastle and said: “The Council’s relationship with the Department of Social Development is excellent. Over the last few years Ballycastle has received grant funding for numerous town improvement projects and we welcome this additional funding to employ a Project Officer who will work with the Board to identify a vision and agree an action plan and strategy for the future development and sustainability of Ballycastle, as a major market town in Northern Ireland.”

Michael Molloy, Chairman of the Ballycastle Town Partnershp, said: “The Ballycastle Town Partnership was established in 2006 with its main objective the promotion of social, economic and environmental development of Ballycastle. This latest funding will enable the partnership to investigate the potential for future growth and development within Ballycastle. It comes at an opportune time as Ballycastle continues to develop opportunities within the tourism and economic sectors. On behalf of the Partnership, I wish to thank the Minister and her colleagues within the Department who have worked so hard to ensure this latest scheme has come to fruition.”

The Minister met local councillors and members of the Ballycastle Town Partnership during a two-hour visit to the town.

During the Minister’s visit, the Minister met members of Moyle District Council and Ballycastle Town Partnership and had an opportunity to see some projects, which have been supported by her Department.

DSD has provided £94,752 to Moyle District Council towards the costs of employing a Project Officer to develop and begin the implementation of a strategy for Ballycastle town centre. The funding will run to March 2009.

(LC/SP)