Belfast SDLP Councillors Séamas de Faoite and Gary McKeown, who have been championing the cause of alleyway regeneration with residents, have welcomed Infrastructure Minister Nichola Mallon's announcement of funding to enhance entries and other similar spaces.
Cllr. McKeown said: "We have been working with residents to build an alley revolution, supporting communities to re-imagine neglected spaces and transform them to thriving places which can be used to grow plants, meet in safe and socially distanced ways, and run community projects such as building planters and playing music.
"This transformation has helped support residents' mental and physical health, particularly during lockdown. However, much of this has happened organically with very little support, which is why we have been working with Minister Nichola Mallon to deliver change. This funding announcement is very welcome in support of the great work communities have been doing."
Cllr. de Faoite said: “Our appreciation of space and the need for urban greenery to protect biodiversity has never been more acute. Minister Mallon’s announcement today will help residents deliver climate action at the most local level possible - transforming Belfast’s historic alleyways into places communities can be proud of.”