Cookstown Cash Injection welcome boost to combat dereliction

Mrs Overend said, “I very much welcome the news that Coosktown is to avail of £120,000 worth of funding to tackle dereliction and depravation in the district. This is part of a £1.5m fund that the Department of the Environment has given out to 15 Councils in Northern Ireland.

“This follows on from the investment that was made into tackling depravation in Portrush and Portstewart ahead of the Irish Open, held last year, and into Londonderry to enhance the image of the city for its tenure as UK City of Culture this year, and to Fermanagh ahead of the G8 Summit last month.

“I do feel that this money is an investment for Cookstown, as I feel that, if used in the right way, it could enrich an already beautiful area of Northern Ireland, which will help to attract visitors from across the UK and the rest of the world.”

Sandra, who is the Ulster Unionist Party Tourism Spokesperson, continued, “Neglected areas, derelict buildings and un-kept property all goes towards painting a negative image of areas for people who visit and for the people who live there. This money will not just help the image of the area for visitors, but will make Cookstown District more pleasant for its current residents.

“I am sure that Cookstown District Council will use this money effectively to ensure that Cookstown sees the same benefits as the North Coast, Londonderry and Fermanagh, who all availed of similar funding.”