€8.4 million RESTART Project Funded in Rural Border Region

Fermanagh and Omagh District Council welcome the investment of €8.4 million towards the RESTART project under Investment Area 4.2 – Rural Regeneration and Social Inclusion – of the PEACEPLUS programme.

The project, aptly named RESTART, an acronym for Rural Economic & Social Transformation And Resilience Transition Together, will see significant strategic investment in the towns of Newtownbutler, Clones and Belturbet. The project is supported by PEACEPLUS, a programme managed by the Special EU Programmes Body (SEUPB). It has been designed collaboratively to enable these rural communities to thrive and reach their full economic, social and environmental potential.

Commenting on this cross-border regenerative project, Chair of Fermanagh and Omagh District Council, Councillor John McClaughry, said,
“Fermanagh and Omagh District Council is delighted to be the lead partner in RESTART which will see a significant investment through programme delivery and capital investment. This project supports the Council’s commitment to address the needs of a rural region and focus on promoting the wellbeing of rural communities.
I’m very pleased that the former, now derelict, PSNI station will be transformed into a more useful and attractive space for the community to enjoy.”

Also remarking on the benefits of RESTART and commending those involved, Chief Executive of Fermanagh and Omagh District Council, Alison McCullagh, said,
“This funding allocation by the Special EU Programmes Body (SEUPB), through the ‘Healthy and Inclusive Communities’ theme of PEACEPLUS, is an excellent opportunity for the border town of Newtownbutler, and its sister towns in the RESTART project, Belturbet and Clones.
I congratulate all involved in bringing this funding application to fruition. This is an exceptional example of cross-border, inter-agency partnership that will have a significant and lasting positive effect on the people of the target regions.”

SEUPB Chief Executive Gina McIntyre said: “Significant developments have been made in the provision of collaborative cross-border services in recent years, providing equality of access for citizens in rural areas. The EU INTERREG programme enabled much of this work and PEACEPLUS funding now builds – and further expands – these collaborative initiatives into areas of increasing wellbeing and reducing social isolation in rural areas.

“All of the funded projects in the Rural Regeneration and Social Inclusion Investment Area will support collaborative community development initiatives and services.”

RESTART is a collaborative approach to the regeneration of this area and project partners include, Erne East Community Partnership Ltd (OAK Healthy Living Centre), Clones Family Resource Centre and Clones Erne East Community Sports Facility (Peacelink).

The project includes infrastructure investment across key sites in the three towns of Newtownbutler, Clones and Belturbet.
The proposal for the development of the former PSNI Station site in Newtownbutler includes light industrial workspace units, community gym and a multipurpose space for wellbeing activities.

In Clones, it is proposed that further works will be undertaken at the Canal Stores site to include the redevelopment of the former Canal workers cottage to extend the meals on wheels service, and provision of additional multipurpose meeting and community space that can also be used to provide services for the soon to be developed Marina adjacent to the site.

In Belturbet, a new community hub is planned within the town centre. The proposal will see the development of community resource hub facility with meeting rooms, a large multiuse and events space and rentable offices/workspace.
A complementary suite of programmes have also been developed to promote wellbeing across this border region and animate programmes to encourage shared learning and build relationships throughout this border region.

ENDS

Notes to Editors:
• The Special EU Programmes Body (SEUPB) is a North South Body with the statutory remit for managing EU funding programmes within Northern Ireland and the border counties of Ireland.
• The PEACEPLUS Programme has been designed to promote peace and prosperity across Northern Ireland and the border counties of Ireland, and has a total value of €1.14bn, to be delivered over the next four years.
• PEACEPLUS is co-funded by the European Union, the Government of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, the Government of Ireland, and the Northern Ireland Executive.