County Derry villages to benefit from regeneration scheme

Three County Derry villages are set to benefit from a rural village regeneration programme designed to improve their visual appearance.

The scheme will focus on eight village and town centre settlements across Derry city and Strabane district, comprising mainly of the painting of the facades of commercial properties located within the defined target areas. 

Locally, Claudy, Eglinton and Park are set to benefit from the scheme, which is supported by the COVID Recovery Small Settlements Programme.

This is a collaboration between the Department for Communities (DfC), Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA), and the Department for Infrastructure (DfI) working closely with local councils to identify priority projects for delivery on the ground. 

The programme aims to support a range of regeneration and active travel interventions targeting small settlements with a population of less than 5,000 people that will attract investors and visitors, and create vital and viable towns that meet the needs of local citizens and the surrounding areas. 

Out of the circa £2m funding secured by Council from the Programme, £1m has been allocated towards the commercial façade painting scheme and associated environmental improvements within the eight settlements, with the remaining budget committed to green infrastructure/ active travel projects in Claudy and Park.

Work has already commenced at Claudy Country Park where improvements are to be made to the play area and safety/ access works will be completed in the wider park.

In Park village, improvements are to be made to the path network, seats and signage in Learmount Forest while path upgrades will also be made to Footstick.

Eglinton will benefit from the commercial façade painting scheme, which is the culmination of work carried out by the council over the past year in the identification of properties, technical surveys, engagement with business and property owners and the appointment of contractors to undertake the works. 

Welcoming the commencement of the first phase of works in Claudy, Mayor of Derry and Strabane, Councillor Patrica Logue, said she was delighted to see work begin on this important regeneration project to improve the visual appearance and character of the identified village and town centres within the district.

“The Covid Recovery Small Settlements Programme represents an important initiative in targeting investment into our rural settlements to assist local businesses who play a key role in the economic vitality and viability of the rural area.

It is hoped that not only will the targeted properties and village/town centres benefit from the physical enhancements, but also through increase in footfall and activity,” she said.

“This project represents a key collaborative rural regeneration initiative between Council and the respective Central Government Departments, and I would like to acknowledge the collective input of all involved.”  

Supported by DAERA, DfC and DfI, a spokesperson for the three departments said: “It’s great to see the commencement of this Revitalisation programme which will breathe new life into towns and villages across the Council area. 

“These schemes will boost the local economy, help tackle rural poverty and improve access to services in small settlements,” the spokesperson added. 

The works programme is estimated to be delivered over the next six months or so.