New funding deal must ease Strabane housing crisis - Stewart

A record finance deal for 1,600 new social homes in Northern Ireland must help to alleviate Strabane's housing crisis, SDLP council candidate Liam Stewart has said.

Speaking after it was revealed a finance package worth £180 million is to kick start the construction of some 1,600 social housing units in Northern Ireland, Mr Stewart said it is vital Strabane gets its fair share. Clanmil Housing Association has secured loans of £75m from Danske Bank and £45million from Barclay, of which £100m will be spent on the construction of new homes for some 5,000 people across the North.

The funding will also allow Clanmil to unlock £80m in statutory funding from the Department for Social Development. Mr Stewart said: "This is the biggest deal of its kind in Northern Ireland and it can have positive ramifications for those caught up in the housing crisis that is affecting 600 people in our district and almost 1300 across the West Tyrone constituency.”

“I would now be hopeful that with the help of this finance deal that sites can be acquired across the Strabane district for the construction of homes for those most in need on Strabane's ever-expanding waiting list."

Mr Stewart said the depth of the crisis in social housing in Strabane is alarming. He said: "A very large percentage of people who call into our Strabane office have presented with issues relating to housing stress, waiting times and long delayed necessary repairs to properties.”

“It is my view that many local people at their wits end who have been continually let down by the system with some concerned if they'll ever be housed. The most recently produced statistics make for alarming reading - an increase of 37% on the Strabane waiting list in the last 5 years.”

"With more than 660 people now on Strabane's waiting lists, we can make no mistake we are in the midst of a housing crisis of startling proportions. This finance package can help can ease the crisis locally across the Strabane district, will create local jobs and alleviate the pressure on private rentals.” 

Leonard Welcomes Derelict Buildings Clean-up

This week Sperrin Area SDLP Candidate Patrick Leonard has welcomed the clean-up of a number of Strabane's most derelict buildings following a recent cash injection of £200,000 secured through the Department of Environment's Dereliction Programme.

Welcoming the clean-up Mr Leonard said "It is great to see some of the vacant buildings receive a fresh coat of paint and shop front improvements. Dereliction has been an issue that the SDLP in Strabane have been very active over in the last number of months."

"It has been important to address the issue of derelict and vacant properties in the Strabane area. Not only do derelict buildings look bad and make the town look uncared for, but it also has a negative effect on potential investors. Potential business owners want a clean, customer friendly area to start their business and are very much put off by the sight of derelict buildings."

"Hopefully with this clean-up, it will create an opportunity to attract local investment at a much needed time and also improve the character of the town. With more investment, this will lead to more jobs for Strabane and its residents."

Ash condemns use of 'Intimidating' posters

The use of intimidating posters in the Strabane and Castlederg Areas targeting the PSNI has been condemned by Derg Area SDLP Candidate Marie Ash, and has called on Strabane District Council and Councillors to take immediate action to have them removed.   

The posters have been erected in recent weeks targeting those who wish to provide the PSNI with information in relation to criminal acts.

Speaking on the matter Mrs Ash said "I believe it is time all local councillors in the Derg District, along with Strabane District Council, to represent their people and to do something about the removal of the inappropriate posters which have been erected in Castlederg, Aghyaran and the wider Strabane area."

"Having spoken to a number of local residents in these areas over the last few weeks and they are angered by seeing this type of intimidating material up in their community. One of these posters was on a building that had just been refurbished with the new dereliction fund. The paint had not even dried when one of these posters appeared!"   

"One local mother said while shopping in Castlederg last week she was questioned by her 8 year old what these posters meant, she told me she was very stuck for words on how to explain it. I, as a mother myself, believe it is totally unacceptable for our children to be exposed to this tactic of the past. The PSNI provide an invaluable service to our communities and keep us safe from crime. I am calling on Strabane District Council to show leadership and take action to have these posters removed."

Kelly condemns ‘reckless attack on Strabane community’

Strabane SDLP Councillor Patsy Kelly has condemned the actions of those responsible for a second viable device in Strabane as ‘reckless’.

Cllr Kelly was speaking after a viable pipe bomb was removed following a security alert at Townsend Street, discovered shortly after 1am this morning in an area known locally as the Back Row. Residents from 30 homes who were moved out of their homes during the alert have now returned.

Cllr Kelly said: “This is an extremely worrying development and, again, it’s the ordinary people of Strabane who are suffering; subjected to further disruption in the early hours of the morning.

“I condemn those who are behind this attack on the community as reckless. They must know they have no place in Strabane or, indeed, in any community.

“It is obvious, however, those intent on causing disruption in the community for a second day in a row have absolutely no regard or respect for the people of Strabane.”

Kelly: Suspect device causing chaos for Strabane residents

Strabane SDLP Councillor Patsy Kelly has said that the discovery of a suspect device near Strabane Golf Club is causing chaos for commuters and residents in the town.

Cllr Kelly said: “Once again the lives of ordinary, decent people are being brought to a standstill by another security alert in our town. Whether or not this turns out to be a viable device, the people of this town are sick, sore and tired of being forced from their homes, being inconvenienced while bringing their children to school or while trying to make it to work.

“Those behind the campaign of destruction that is blighting communities across the North have nothing constructive to offer. Rather all they contribute is the destructive mindset of the past that the people of this island, North and South, voted overwhelmingly against in 1998.

“Police have closed Ballycolman avenue as they deal with this alert. Motorists should avoid this route as the make their way through the town.”

LEONARD CONDEMNS DISCOVERY OF VIABLE DEVICE

The discovery of a viable explosive device following a security alert this morning in Strabane has been condemned by SDLP election candidate for the area Patrick Leonard. 

The alert came just hours after locals were asked to be vigilant following a report of a pipe bomb in the Ballycolman Road or Laurel Drive areas.

Police received the report on Sunday night at about 10.30pm but uncovered no suspicious objects. During a follow-up operation on Monday morning a suspicious object was found on the Strabane Golf Club course and Army bomb experts were called to examine.

The device has now been made safe.

Highlighting his concern Mr. Leonard said: "I absolutely condemn this incident. It was a reckless act that put lives at great risk close to a residential area and caused serious disruption for people living in the area.

"This device had the ability to maim and kill and was to place this in an areas where school children walk by cannot be tolerated.

"Thankfully no-one was injured in this wilful act of terror

"I would appeal to anyone who has any information in relation to this or who saw anyone acting suspiciously in the area of the golf links on Sunday night to contact the PSNI immediately."

Byrne addresses Camowen farmers AGM

SDLP West Tyrone MLA, and vice chair of the Assembly Agriculture Committee, addressed Camowen Farmers Group at their AGM in the Milestone Centre, Carrickmore on Monday night.

Mr Byrne said: “It was encouraging to see a large number of farmers who are involved with the Camowen Farmers Group coming together for their AGM. This is a testament to Stephen Brown and Francis McAleer, who are officers of the group, and Mary Mc Cormack who also provides back-up support and service to the group.

“This type of group stays together because of the dedication and hard work of its committee and leadership.

“The presentation examined the background to Cap Reform, and questions and issues in every farmers mind at present including 2014 Single Farm Payment applications, one zone or/two zone regions for Northern Ireland, entitlements and young farmer entrants.

“Many questions are being posed by farmers that I meet and were quite rightly raised on Monday night. It is now important that DARD confirm unambiguously the position relating to these issues, as like any other business farmers need to plan and they can only do this effectively and efficiently if they have all the facts.”

Mr Byrne added: “Points were debated that need to be raised at the Agriculture Committee and to DARD directly. Decisions need to be made by DARD and the Minister well in advance of May 2nd to give farmers a chance to fill their SFP 2014 application forms.”