One Step Closer …

Saintfield Development Association (SDA), formerly Saintfield Town Regeneration Committee (STRC), published the Saintfield Integrated Development Plan (the Village Plan) in 2012. The Village Plan was produced to act as a funding and lobbying tool for the development and improvement of the Village.

In preparing the Village Plan a public consultation exercise took place in 1b Main Street, Saintfield in May 2012. A draft village plan was on display along with a questionnaire to allow local stakeholders to feedback their ideas. An exceptionally high number of responses were received to the event with 255 people returning questionnaires, giving their views on how Saintfield could be developed and improved, with strong support for a number of projects within Saintfield Village.

Five projects were selected as projects which not only received the strongest level of support but were also achievable through accessing funding. The five selected projects in order of priority were:

1:  New community and sports facility as an extension to the existing Sports Association grounds

2:  A new play park situated adjacent to the new community centre

3:  A shop front improvement scheme

4:  An environmental improvement scheme for Main Street and the Fair Green

5:  A new car park and turning area at the Academy Primary School

The report concluded by noting that with such a high level of interest generated it was now vital that improvements do take place and that a new community and sports facility is delivered for Saintfield.

The 2009 and 2010 Economic Appraisals provide further backing for a community/ sports facility within Saintfield. Both reports concluded that there is a need for the facilities and identified a full scale development option as the most appropriate option to cater for this need.

The 108 people who provided written statements of support for the community and sports facility all highlighted the current lack of modern facilities and the high level of need.

Saintfield Development Association is pleased that Down District Council has taken into account the demonstrable needs and expectations of the people of Saintfield when allocating future capital expenditure throughout the district.

Saintfield Development Association would like to thank all those people who called into 1b Main Street during the consultation exercise and everyone who took the time to fill in questionnaires and provide written responses giving us their thoughts and ideas.  Your input was invaluable.