Newry and Mourne has received significantly less regeneration investment than other comparable districts according to latest government data Between 2010 and 2013 a total of £7,489,985 was spent in the District under the Department of Social Development initiative which involves, “the implementation of programmes reflecting targeting social need, by addressing the social economic and physical regeneration of cities towns and villages.” Whilst the top line figure sounds impressive at £75.29 per person over three years it falls well short of the Northern Ireland average of £90.95 per person. Had Newry and Mourne received the Northern Ireland average this would have seen an additional £1,557,000 invested in the district taking the top line figure to £9,047,706. Over the same Derry received £161.12 per person, Craigavon £132.04 and Belfast £274.90. It should be noted that Lisburn which has a population larger than that of Newry received slightly less per person funding (£70.22). According to Newry Chamber of Commerce and Trade Chief Executive Orla Jackson more equitable investment would have been put to good use locally. “It is disappointing but not surprising to hear that Newry and Mourne receives much less that other comparable areas in Northern Ireland when it comes to government investment in urban regeneration,” she said. “Urban regeneration projects not only improve the visual landscape of an area they encourage footfall into our towns and cities, encourage greater visitor numbers and help prompt further investment from the private sector. The investment of the public realm schemes on Hill Street and Monaghan Street have helped encourage new businesses to open along these streets proving that investment in Newry represents good vale for taxpayers money. It is all the more disappointing to note that that the planned yet modest public realm schemes scheduled for Newry City Centre and Warrenpoint have been postponed as the funding could not be secured within current budgets considering the investment that other areas received over recent years.”
Newry Reporter
7th May 2014
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