Limavady District Housing Plan 2011/12 - Northern Ireland Housing ...

LIMAVADY
During 2010/11, DARD has been rolling out a Maximising Access to Services, Grants
and Benefits’ service in rural areas. This partnership between the public and
community sector targets the more vulnerable households in rural areas; through
home visits, it helps those in need to access a range of services. Housing Executive
staff contributed to this initiative and at 2nd February 2011 a total of 4,121 visits had
been completed across Northern Ireland. This resulted in referrals to the Warm
Homes Scheme, benefit entitlement checks, home safety checks and rural
community transport, and other services.
In Limavady District we are supporting physical and community regeneration
through a number of activities:
• Housing Executive staff participate in the Limavady Neighbourhood Renewal
Partnership, which was formed as part of the DSD’s Neighbourhood Renewal
Strategy;
• We made significant improvements to the Hospital Lane estate by the
reinstatement of long term voids. Future funding from the Arts Council’s Re-
Imaging Communities Fund will enable the Neighbourhood Renewal
Partnership to complete more redevelopment in the estate;
• The Housing Executive, as a consultee, has provided some initial input into the
preparation of the Limavady Town Centre Masterplan representing the interests
of housing. The Masterplan was commissioned by Limavady Borough Council in
partnership with DSD and has been presented to Council in final draft format. It
is designed to guide future development in the town centre in order to
maximise its social, economic and physical assets. A number of regeneration
proposals have been presented in draft form for the next 10-15 years, together
with deliverable recommendations;
• Many of the Housing Executive’s mainstream activities support regeneration,
and we will continue to play our role in community regeneration where funding
allows.
Housing Executive grounds maintenance staff have committed £65k on two
projects within the district during the past year-:
• Gortnaghey Community Woodland scheme is based within a Housing Executive
estate and provided a raised bed, nature walk, wormery, insect pile, bird boxes
and a quiet area. It is anticipated that the completed project will be used by
both the local community and for school projects;
• The second project is adjacent to the Glens Community Centre and provided a
raised bed, seated area, fruit trees, central stone feature and a beech hedge.
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