Residents no longer ‘green’ with envy

Residents of Hannahstown no longer need to look with envy at other villages as they can now boast a new village green that will act as a community focal point for the residents of every age to meet, chat and play.
By The Newsroom
Published 15th Jul 2014, 09:31 BST
Pictured at the launch of Hannahstown Village Renewal Scheme are: (l-r) Cllr Andrew Ewing, Mayor of Lisburn; Cllr Anne Marie Beattie, Chairman, Lagan Rural Partnership Joint Council Committee; Gareth Evans, Implementation Manager, DARD; Cllr Nichola Mallon, Lord Mayor of Belfast; and Jim McCormick, Chairman of Hannahstown Community Association.Pictured at the launch of Hannahstown Village Renewal Scheme are: (l-r) Cllr Andrew Ewing, Mayor of Lisburn; Cllr Anne Marie Beattie, Chairman, Lagan Rural Partnership Joint Council Committee; Gareth Evans, Implementation Manager, DARD; Cllr Nichola Mallon, Lord Mayor of Belfast; and Jim McCormick, Chairman of Hannahstown Community Association.
Pictured at the launch of Hannahstown Village Renewal Scheme are: (l-r) Cllr Andrew Ewing, Mayor of Lisburn; Cllr Anne Marie Beattie, Chairman, Lagan Rural Partnership Joint Council Committee; Gareth Evans, Implementation Manager, DARD; Cllr Nichola Mallon, Lord Mayor of Belfast; and Jim McCormick, Chairman of Hannahstown Community Association.

The Village Green facility is one of many key developments as part of a wider village renewal scheme that has received £250,000 grant from Lagan Rural Partnership as part of the DARD led Rural Development Grants Programme 2007-2013.

Lagan Rural Partnership is the delivery agent of the programme in the council areas of Lisburn, Belfast and Castlereagh.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Other aspects of the renewal scheme include: the installation of new signage at the entrance to the village, a wildflower garden, a ‘Highway to Health’ trail complete with outdoor gym equipment and a children’s play park.

In addition to the £250,000 grant provided by Lagan Rural Partnership, match funding of £83,000 has been provided by the Economic Development and Leisure Services Committees of Lisburn City Council and Belfast City Council.

Councillor Anne Marie Beattie, Chairman of the Lagan Rural Partnership, said: “The Lagan Rural Partnership is delighted to fund this village renewal scheme and it hopes that the residents of Hannahstown will enjoy the benefits of all the new facilities for many years to come.

“I would also like to congratulate Hannahstown Community Association in adopting such a successful partnership approach with both Lisburn and Belfast city councils in order to make this scheme happen.”

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Councillor Andrew Ewing, Mayor of Lisburn added: “I am aware that the Lagan Rural Partnership is soon to begin the process of bidding for new rural funding as part of the Rural Development Programme for 2014 – 2020.

“I sincerely hope that the partnership can secure adequate funding for more projects like this, and other priority areas such as business creation and tourism.”

The next focus of Hannahstown Community Association is to meet with officials from the Department for Regional Development regarding the provision of a footpath from the top of Hannahstown Hill to Glenmeen Close.

Related topics:ResidentsLisburn