Partnership working is key to delivering community regeneration – Kearney 

Sinn Féin’s Declan Kearney has welcomed the progressive approach of statutory agencies in working together to drive forward community regeneration in Antrim Town.

Speaking after convening a multiagency site visit alongside local councillor, Lucille O Hagan, in the Springfarm estate in Antrim, the South Antrim MLA said,

“For more than two years, Sinn Féin has been working alongside statutory agencies in a collaborative approach to community regeneration and maximising positive use of green space within estates in Antrim for the benefit of local residents.

“Monthly multi-agency meetings with senior officials from Antrim and Newtownabbey Council, The Housing Executive, Department for Infrastructure Roads Service and the PSNI have been focused on implementing physical improvements, including external maintenance, environmental enhancements, community safety and the delivery of new amenities.

“These engagements, concentrating initially on the Rathenraw, Springfarm and Greystone estates, have helped deliver a coordinated, multi-agency approach to addressing estate maintenance and cleansing schemes, and the potential for improved service provision, including new schemes of work and projects.” 

Commenting on the group’s partnership working to date, Declan Kearney said:

“I am delighted that our multi-agency initiative remains focused on delivering for the residents of these three estates. Despite budget restrictions on the part of the agencies involved, we have managed to secure some significant improvements, with more in the pipeline.

“More recently there has been a major investment in tree planting throughout the Rathenraw estate, including an orchard of apple, pear and cherry trees. We also have the resurfacing and extension of the ‘Fairy Hill’ path agreed for April and plans for a new entrance feature are at an advanced stage. I am also pleased that my representations through the multi-agency process over the last two years to deliver a comprehensive play area upgrade for children in Springfarm are now at an advanced stage. All of these are good news stories for local residents.  

“Following a recent tree planting scheme in the Springfarm estate, we convened a site meeting and walk around for all relevant agencies last week to discuss general maintenance of housing, roads and green spaces, and the possibility of further environmental improvements and investment in amenities. Myself and Cllr O Hagan highlighted several safety, repair and cleansing priorities which require urgent attention. Sinn Féin locally will be following up on these issues with the appropriate officials.

“I am grateful to all the agencies involved for their continued commitment to delivering community regeneration through their combined efforts and partnership working. The progress to date shows what is possible even against a back drop of restricted public finances.”