IN/0466

Lottery grant for rebuilding Omagh centre
By Paul McKillion and PA news

Nearly £1m goes to street project
THE shattered high street in Omagh will be restored to its "full Victorian glory" with the help of nearly £1 million of British lottery money, it was announced yesterday.
The project - part of a £3.35m package for the restoration of a number of historic buildings and sites across Northern Ireland - will be the first Lottery grant of its kind.
Councillors in Omagh gave a warm welcome to the award, which will be used to help reconstruct Lower Market Street - site of the Real IRA car bomb which exploded on August 15, killing 29 people and injuring 370 others.
John McKinney, chief executive of Omagh District Council, said: "This is very timely, coming just as demolition work is complete and we are about to try and move forward."
"Most people would like to see some sort of reflective area, but they also want to see something different there. They don't want to have to look at that street and see it how it was on August 15."
The money, from the Heritage Lottery Fund Townscape Heritage Initiative Scheme, will let Omagh Council repair a number of Victorian buildings in the Market Street area.
It will carry out structural repairs, reinstating architectural features and returning the properties to full use.
Speaking at the announcement of the grants, HLF chairman Dr Eric Anderson admitted the application from Omagh was "sped through" the award process.
He said: "The whole committee agreed it was a very worthwhile cause.
"The bombing was a tragedy and we hope the grant will help the town recover in some way.
"It may be back for more, and we would look upon their application favourably."
Kevin O'Gara, Chief Client Services Manager at Omagh District Council said: "...the funding will go towards the restoration of those buildings of historical merit in the area as well us other damaged buildings."
As well as Omagh, the fund has allocated over £1.5m to the charity Bryson House for the restoration of the former Belfast Gas Office on the Ormeau Road.
The red-bricked landmark building with its circular clock tower will be restored to make office and conference facilities available for the voluntary sector and community use.
St George's Church in Belfast's High Street will receive almost £270,000 for the second phase of its restoration. In Derry, St Columb's Diocesan Trust is to receive over £640,000 for the restoration of St Columb's Hall, allowing it to continue to function as host to local arts groups.
The remainder of the project fund will support the preparation of applications for townscape projects in the Downpatrick and Saintfield areas.
On the heritage scheme in Omagh, Dr Mowlam said: "I trust that this will soon become a reality in terms of a rejuvenated town centre, displaying its Victorian heritage in a 21st century setting."