Minister announces Community Asset Transfer in Craigavon

Communities Minister Deirdre Hargey has announced that a site owned by her Department is to be transferred to local community organisation Brownlow Ltd under the Community Asset Transfer (CAT) programme.

Increasing the supply of affordable homes for rent – Hargey

CAT is an Executive policy developed in 2015 to provide a framework to facilitate community ownership of public sector assets, and responsibility for the policy lies with the Department for Communities.

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

Minister Hargey said: 

"Community Asset Transfer is an important tool for creating opportunities to build community wealth.  Brownlow Ltd has a strong track record of promoting and assisting local entrepreneurs through its Bluestone Business Park facilities and local activities, and I welcome the opportunity that CAT offers to help them build on that success.”

Dian Heaney MBE, Chairperson of Brownlow Ltd added: 

“On behalf of the Board and all members of Brownlow Limited, we would like to express our gratitude to the Minister, Deirdre Hargey, MLA and the Department for Communities for their support, encouragement and recognition, of our continuing endeavours to improve the economic and community wellbeing of the Brownlow area, through the transfer of this parcel of land.”

Notes to editors: 

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