Departments and Council invest on the ground at Clady
An enhancement project delivered under the Covid Recovery Small Settlements Regeneration Programme has recently been completed in Clady thanks to an investment of over £146,700.
This project was funded by the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA) and the Department for Communities (DfC), in partnership with the Council.
Delivered by Mid Ulster District Council, the capital funding has enabled development of green open space within the village of Clady, including the extension of the existing play area to create a public pocket park, with improvements to the existing car parking. It has also included additional landscaping and drainage of existing green space at Beechland Park for community use, along with accessibility improvements.
Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs Minister Andrew Muir said “I am delighted to see the completion of this project under the Covid Recovery Small Settlements Regeneration Programme. The Programme has seen three government departments and Councils work together to deliver for residents and businesses in rural towns and villages. This project will certainly enhance Clady by creating a play area and public park and green open spaces and in doing so deliver on my Department’s priority of building strong, sustainable and diverse rural communities where people want to live, work and enjoy."
Communities Minister Gordon Lyons said, “I am pleased to see the completion of the scheme in Clady. This is a prime example of how the Small Settlements Programme, led by my department, is making a meaningful impact in rural communities by improving the quality of life for residents, workers, and visitors alike. It also highlights the power of collaboration, with three government departments working in partnership with local councils to drive regeneration and deliver lasting benefits for the entire community.”
Chair of Mid Ulster District Council, Councillor Frances Burton welcomed the completion of works, saying,
"The regeneration of small villages is vitally important in our rural district. Through the support of the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs and Department for Communities funding, for which we are very grateful, and contributions from the Council’s Capital Programme, projects like this one in Clady provide significant recreational opportunities for locals, for all ages and all abilities, thereby improving the health and wellbeing of our residents.”
The Covid Recovery Small Settlements Regeneration Programme has resulted in £3.4million being delivered by the Council across 7 villages throughout the district including Clogher, Coalisland, Moy, Bellaghy, Castlecaulfield, Castledawson, as well as Clady. The overall Programme includes investment from DfC, DAERA, Department for Infrastructure (DfI) and Council; and aims to deliver projects which result in positive impacts in support of small settlements.
The completion of small settlement schemes in these areas will transform recreational, outdoor, and civic spaces for residents, revitalising villages throughout the district and improving accessibility for those who live, work and visit the area.
Pictured above: Chair of Mid Ulster District Council, Cllr. Frances Burton; Avril Sharkey (DfC); and Gerard Treacy (Rural Affairs TRPSI Health and Wellbeing Head of Branch).
Pictured above: Chair of Mid Ulster District Council, Cllr. Frances Burton; Avril Sharkey (DfC); Gerard Treacy (Rural Affairs TRPSI Health and Wellbeing Head of Branch; Cllr Brian McGiugan; Cllr Córa Corry; Cllr Paddy Kelly; and Cllr Sean McPeake.
Pictured above: improvement works carried out at Clady.