Regenerating deprived areas on the agenda again

How deprived neighbourhoods will be developed and resourced is set to be the main topic of discussion at a conference to take place today, Thursday, in the heart of one of the most deprived area's of the North - West Belfast.

The debate will focus on how the Department of Social Development plan to implement their 'People and Places' strategy, the 'local' interpretation of the British Neighbourhood Renewal Strategy.

The conference will pull together a number of key players, including the Head of the Housing Executive, Paddy McIntyre, John McGrath, Deputy Permanent Secretary with the Department of Social Development, as well as political representatives and representatives from the Equality and Human Rights Commission.

Una Gillespie from West Belfast Economic Forum, main sponsor of the event, says: "Policy developments on urban regeneration are of great significance to the people of West Belfast, especially considering the levels of unemployment and deprivation the area has consistently suffered from. We want to enable our local community to be adequately informed about this policy and start some debate about a policy that will effect all of our lives in the North."

Geraldine McAteer from the West Belfast Partnership Board, one of the main organisers of the event, says "we need to ensure that the process of Neighbourhood Renewal is effective, especially if we want to see an immediate and significant changes to the levels of deprivation.

"It is also vital that communities are given the support to play an equal role in providing solutions. This conference is part of our contribution to set the right foundations so that this can happen."

The conference will be held in the Springvale Training Centre, Springfield Road, Belfast.