FORMER HEAD of the IDA Padraic White has complained about the lack of official support for west Belfast and greater Shankill after the publication yesterday of an ambitious regeneration plan for the area.
Mr White, who is chairman of the West Belfast and Greater Shankill Enterprise Council, yesterday joined in the unveiling of what the council is calling a masterplan for the radical transformation of the republican and neighbouring loyalist district.
The proposals include a destination centre on Black Mountain, which overlooks west Belfast, that could be modelled on the Guggenheim in Bilbao, and the promotion of a Gaeltacht Quarter along the Falls Road. The masterplan also envisions an Ulster Scots cultural centre on the Shankill; the redevelopment of Andersonstown into a modern urban village; enterprise and economic hubs to attract jobs, and the redevelopment of disused churches in the Shankill.
The plan, called Think Transformation, was published a day after the Northern Executive confirmed it would support the £100 million (€121.2 million) Titanic-themed tourist project in east Belfast with £40 million.
Mr White, who since his time as IDA chief has taken a personal interest in the peace process through the promotion of economic regeneration, spoke of his frustration yesterday at what he believes is official indifference to promoting the area. He said progress was being made but that in general, there was a lack of "any coherent and sustained commitment" from officialdom for west Belfast and the Shankill.
"The taskforce representatives have struggled to get any meaningful and integrated response to the needs of the area. The area has one-third of Belfast city's working age population, but has one-half of the long-term unemployed and those on income support and incapacity benefit. So the rationale for setting up the taskforces and for a distinctive focus on west Belfast and greater Shankill still remains and deserves a better response," Mr White said.
