Social Development Minister Margaret Ritchie today announced funding of £5.4m towards transforming a two acre site on the Lower Newtownards Road.

During today's visit to the East Belfast Mission site, the Minister met with officials and representatives of the Skainos Project to see for herself the scope and plans for transforming derelict areas on the Lower Newtownards Road in Belfast.

Minister Ritchie said: "The Skainos Project provides a significant opportunity to reinvigorate and revive this area. The ambitious proposals have the potential to alleviate the high levels of dereliction along what was historically one of Belfast's main shopping thoroughfares. The scheme closely complements my Department's commitment through Neighbourhood Renewal to supporting the physical, social, community and economic regeneration of disadvantaged areas."

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The Skainos project proposes to demolish a number of buildings at the existing East Belfast Mission site and transform the space into a state of the art, landmark business and community facility for the local area. The funding of up to £5.4m under the Department for Social Development's Neighbourhood Renewal Strategy will be subject to Skainos Ltd securing the full remaining funding for the £14.6m development and firm commitment to occupy the development from the identified potential users.

The Minister added: "I am confident that the delivery of this development will inspire confidence in both the local community and the private sector. Skainos and their various partners are to be congratulated on their innovative plans and I wish them every success as they move forward."

The scheme, developed around a new civic square, includes a mix of commercial retail units, office accommodation, youth centre, multi-purpose hall, day-care créche, a commercial kitchen and café, college/training centre, seminar rooms, social housing apartments, private apartments and a project aimed at helping the long-term unemployed return to the labour market.

(VB/JM)