Community Planning '˜does not belong to any group' - Tierney

Mr Tierney said the process belonged to the community and was “about improving our communities by asking the public what matters to them.”

He was speaking after dissatisfaction expressed by some community representatives and elected Independent councillors over the process to develop the major project.

A protest was held outside the Guildhall on Friday following a series of meetings held across the city on Thursday, with protesters claiming the process to set up the council initiative was flawed.

The Council have disputed the claims.

SDLP Colr. Tierney said: “I have attended various Community Planning meetings and workshops throughout the Ballyarnett area and they were productive sessions that raised common sense issues that formulated the draft plan for the area. Problems that need addressed are key to the plan.

“Issues like employment opportunities, anti-social behaviour, housing, road safety and community facilities were consistently raised and these will form the backbone of our plan.

“There will be further workshops after the summer where we will agree the final plans and I would encourage everyone to attend these crucial events.

“Community Planning is about our community and it is essential that as many people as possible feed into this process.”