The community of Annsborough has demonstrated how local people can make local decisions to benefit their community, Rural Development Minister Michelle O’Neill has said.

Minister O’Neill was speaking as she officially opened the Annsborough Community Hall in Castlewellan, Co Down. Annsborough Community Forum completed the ambitious £270,000 project to design and develop a community space to cater for the needs of the rural community.

Grant funding from DARD’s Rural Development Programme (RDP) and Ulster Wildlife Trust’s Landfill Communities Fund alongside investment from the former Down District Council and Northern Ireland Housing Executive, made this project possible.

Addressing members of the community at the opening last night, Minister O’Neill said: “I congratulate Annsborough Community Forum on completion of this very impressive project.

“The funding of £100,000 from my Department’s Rural Development Programme, delivered through Down Rural Area Partnership Local Action Group and Joint Council Committee, has been an important resource in bringing this project to fruition.

“This project demonstrates what the RDP is all about, allowing local people in rural areas to make local decisions which will improve lifestyles and services for their local community, and I am delighted that you have been able to avail of this funding opportunity.”

Commenting on the progress of the new Rural Development Programme the Minister stated that she anticipated approval from the European Commission later this year.

She said: "I intend to ensure that the new Rural Development Programme will build on the many successes of the current Programme which is drawing to a close, and will continue to provide support to the development and success of rural communities and businesses, becoming the catalyst and inspiration for rural dwellers to become proactive in bringing their ideas to fruition. I look forward to the realisation of many more projects in the coming years under the next Rural Development Programme."

Pictured: Rural Development Minister Michelle O'Neill officially opens the new £270,000 Annsborough Community Hall in Castlewellan Co. Down alongside representatives of Down Rural Area Partnership, Ulster Wildlife Trust, NI Housing Executive, Newry, Mourne & Down District Council and Annsborough Community Forum. The new Community Hall was funded by the Rural Development Programme and delivered through Down Rural Area Partnership Local Action Group and Joint Council Committee. Photo Diarmuid McLaughlin.