Community Asset Transfer complete in Craigavon

The Department for Communities has marked the completion of a Community Asset Transfer (CAT) in Craigavon

The move, which is a first for the Department’s Regional Development Office, hands a site previously owned by DfC to local community organisation Brownlow Limited.

Brownlow Ltd has been leasing the land at Moyraverty West Road since 1991 and, with the Department’s permission, had developed the Bluestone Business Park on the site. With the end of its lease period approaching, Brownlow Ltd asked the Department to consider whether the site could be transferred to them under the CAT initiative.

Gerard Murray, DfC Director of Regional Development, said:

“The department is committed to the development of our communities, working in partnership with a wide range of stakeholders and organisations to help them grow and develop. Community Asset Transfer is an important tool for creating opportunities to build community wealth. It gives ownership of a site to those who know an area - understanding its needs and aspirations.

“Brownlow Ltd has a strong track record of promoting and assisting local entrepreneurs through its Bluestone Business Park facilities and local activities. I welcome the opportunity that CAT offers to help them build on that success and, through Brownlow’s stewardship, look forward to seeing it continue to thrive in the future.”

CAT is an Executive policy developed in 2014 to provide a framework to facilitate community ownership of public sector assets, and responsibility for the policy lies with the Department for Communities as a core element of its Community Wealth Building agenda.

Dian Heaney MBE, Chairperson, stated:

“Brownlow Limited, through its efforts to encourage economic opportunity and activity in the Brownlow area, develop entrepreneurial talents and build businesses, has worked with many diverse clientele and nurtured numerous commercial projects, across all business sectors. In so doing we are demonstrating the tremendous value for money and financial dividend to the wider local economy, that both has and will continue to be generated from Brownlow Limited’s endeavours with the cooperation of the Department for Communities. On behalf of the local Brownlow area, we would thank the Department for its ‘can do’ attitude and vision. We also look forward to further fruitful collaboration in the future.” 

Notes to editors: 

1. Photo caption: Marking the handover of land, where Bluestone Business Park is situated, from DfC to Brownlow Limited through a Community Asset Transfer are: Dian Heaney MBE, Chairperson of Brownlow Limited, Gerard Murray, Director of the Regional Development Office at the Department for Communities and Adrian Ballentine, Chief Executive of Brownlow Limited.
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