THE regeneration of Ballymun officially ended last week with the launch of a new civic alliance designed to give local residents and businesses a say in the area’s future development.
Ballymun Regeneration Ltd (BRL), the body created to oversee the often controversial multi-million euro revamp project, will now be wound down and its responsibilities transferred to Dublin City Council.
The new Ballymun Town Civic Alliance, launched last week by Minister for Housing and Planning Jan O’Sullivan with a tree planting ceremony, will advise the council on the allocation of ring-fenced Government funding and assist with the development of social, economic and environmental strategies for the area.
Local councillor, Andrew Montague (Lab), who represented the Lord Mayor at last week’s launch, believes there’ll be plenty of work for the new civic alliance to do.
“We are marking an important transition in the history of Ballymun,
? he said.
“We are at the end of the physical transition of Ballymun from an area of high rise flats to a community of modern, comfortable homes with high quality community facilities.
“Much more needs to be done to improve health, employment and social outcomes for the community and we must continue our efforts through the new Ballymun Town Civic Alliance to make Ballymun a better place for all who live and work in the area.
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Chairperson of BRL, Ronan King, said the civic alliance would ensure the continued involvement of residents and businesses in Ballymun in the area’s future development.
“The regeneration of Ballymun is all about its people and the strength and involvement of the local community,
? he said.
“Whilst undoubtedly remarkable, the physical and infrastructural development alone would not have achieved the regeneration objectives for Ballymun.
“Equally important has been the associated social development driven by the local community.
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Minister O’Sullivan described the launch of the civic alliance and the winding down of BRL as
“an exciting time for the people of Ballymun.
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“Ballymun Regeneration Board has worked with the local community to transform Ballymun into the vibrant, forward-looking community it is today,
? she said.
“From the day I took up the post of Housing Minister, I made a firm commitment to the community and public representatives that I would ensure that the housing elements of the regeneration would be met in full.
“That objective has now been achieved and I am delighted to be here to visit the final phase of new homes to be constructed as part of Ballymun Regeneration.
“The baton for the future social, economic and cultural development of Ballymun is now passing to Dublin City Council in partnership with the new Ballymun Town Civic Alliance.
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Dublin City Manager Owen Keegan said BRL had
“substantially delivered
? on the ambitious Ballymun regeneration project.
“BRL was established by Dublin City Council as a stand-alone development agency in 1997 in order to achieve the regeneration objectives – to provide the people of Ballymun with new homes, new amenities and a new town and to ensure that Ballymun received the investment and attention it required to become a safe, well maintained and attractive town,
? he said.
“BRL has now substantially delivered on the ambitious regeneration project.
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The initial membership of the new Ballymun Town Civic Alliance board will be made up of current BRL board members, local councillors and council officials.
BRL will remain in existence for a period of time to ensure the orderly winding up of its financial and contractual affairs. The board of BRL will be replaced by a new
‘wind up’ board, membership of which will be drawn from Dublin City Council senior management.
Local Fine Gael representative, Noel Rock, who attended the Civic Alliance launch said he was confident that the future was bright for Ballymun.
“I was glad to show my support for the future of Ballymun as this group comes together to progress the opportunities, issues and concerns that face Ballymun,
? he said.
“I am proud to have grown up in Ballymun, am proud of what it has become today, and am confident that its best days lie ahead – though we need to work to build that future.
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The last remaining blocks of the old Ballymun flats are due to be demolished in 2014.