Banbridge District Council is about to embark on a second round of consultations to facilitate the preparation of a development plan for 15 villages in the district.

In recent weeks people living in Gilford, Scarva, Loughbrickland, Lawrencetown, Lenaderg, Tullylish, Corbet, Katesbridge, Moneyslane, Kinallen, Annaclone, Finnis, Waringsford, Leitrim and Ashfield/Gowdystown have been giving their views on how they would like to see their area developed over the next few years.

Their comments and suggestions will help inform draft plans for each of the villages which will form the basis for the next round of consultations, which start on Tuesday 15 May and continue until Friday 25 May.

See accompanying advert for details on each consultation. Presentations will be given on the draft plans for each area at the next round of consultations.

Council Community Development Officer Robert Stockley said: “We have been greatly encouraged by the turnout at the first round of consultations. Local people have been keen to engage and have their say on how they would like to see their villages develop. However, it is not too late to become involved in this process and I would encourage anyone who has an interest in their village to attend the next series of consultations.”

The aim of these consultations is to identify issues facing the community in each area as well as assess their future needs. The resulting plans that follow will be used to secure funding to support a range of regeneration projects in each area.

Further consultation sessions on the final village plans for each area will be held towards the end of the month.

It is costing over £95,000 to prepare the full set of plans but 80% of this funding has been secured from the NI Housing Executive and Down Rural Area Partnership through the NI Rural Development Programme 2007-2013.

Area	Date	Presentation Times	Venue
Annaclone	Thu 24 May	5.30pm & 7pm	St Colman’s P.S.
Ashfield/Gowdystown	Fri 25 May	7.30pm – 9pm	Quilly Orange Hall
Corbet	Fri 25 May	5.30pm – 7pm	Anglers Rest
Finnis*	Thu 24 May	5.30pm - 7.30pm	Peter Morgan’s Cottage
Gilford	Tue 15 May	5.30pm & 7pm	Gilford Community Centre
Kinallen, Finnis & Waringsford	Wed 23 May	5.30pm & 7pm	Fair Hill P.S.
Lawrencetown,Lenaderg & Tullylish	Wed 16 May	5.30pm & 7pm	Laurencetown Community Centre
Lenaderg*	Thu 17 May	5.30pm - 7.30pm	Bannville House Hotel
Leitrim	Tue 22 May	5.30pm & 7pm	Le itrim GAA Club
Loughbrickland	Fri 18 May	5.30pm & 7pm	Newbridge Integrated College
Katesbridge	Tue 22 May	5.30pm-7.30pm	Shanaghan Orange Hall
Moneyslane & Katesbridge	Mon 21 May	5.30pm & 7pm	Drumadonnell P.S.
Scarva	Thu 17 May	5.30pm & 7pm	Scarva Visitor Centre
Tullylish*	Thu 17 May	5.30pm-7.30pm	All Saints Church Hall
Waringsford*	Thu 24 May	5.30pm - 7.30pm	Waringsford Orange Hall
* These sessions are for those who are unable to attend the joint sessions but will be unmanned.

Contact:
Leisure and Development Department 
Banbridge District Council
T: 028 4066 0605.