UH/1695

Heritage funding obtained for bombed buildings

ALMOST £1 million in unique funding has been earmarked to help to restore bomb shattered Market Street to its former glory.
The bomb scarred street has attracted a staggering £900,000 cash injection, in the first project of its kind to be funded by the British Heritage Lottery Fund.
The financial boost was unveiled on Tuesday in London as its Chairman, Dr Eric Anderson, announced the allocation of £3.5 million funding to projects throughout the North, including Omagh.
The funding in line for the town has been earmarked for a townscape restoration project at Market Street, the scene of a 500lb Real IRA car bomb explosion two months ago, which killed 29 people and unborn baby twins.
The money has been earmarked to repair existing Victorian buildings, which will form an integral part of the overall construction of lower Market Street.
The Omagh project will mark the first of its kind to attract lottery funding, with the Heritage Fund only launching its townscape initiative in April.
The application for the townscape project had been submitted prior to the Omagh atrocity. However, a fresh application was submitted after the bombing.
Speaking at the grants announcement, Dr Anderson admitted that the Omagh application had been "sped through".
"The whole committee agreed it was a very worthwhile cause" he said.
Dr Anderson added "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 favourably on their application."
Those buildings of historic merit will include McCrystals and Clarke Shields and a number of other premises.
Kevin O'Gara, Chief Client Services Manager at Omagh Council, explained that the funding by the Heritage Fund will ensure that the historic merit of the older buildings will not be lost in the reconstruction and repair.
"The character and fine details will be enhanced in both the repair and reconstruction."
Mr O'Gara said the Council is delighted that the Heritage Fund had deemed it fit to support its submission.
"It is to be welcomed and will be part of the reconstruction and rebuilding process of the town.
Chief Executive of Omagh District Council, John McKinney, said the funding was "very timely and great for the town".
"It comes just as demolition work is complete and we are about to try and move forward."
Most people, he said, would like to see some sort of reflective area but they also want to see something different.
"The money will ensure that Market Street keeps its historic character. We had already submitted an application for money to restore Market Street along by the river.
"Of course we resubmitted it after the bombing to take account of the reconstruction.
"Whatever is replaced at the bomb site will reflect the character and heritage value of the town, and other buildings will also be able to benefit from the funding."
The money is being offered under the Heritage Lottery Fund Townscape Heritage Initiative Scheme, launched in April, which is designed to contribute to the revival of historic cities and towns.
It brings together local partnerships to repair and regenerate areas of special architectural and historical interest.
In Omagh the money has been awarded to the partnership of the District Council and the Renewal and Beyond project.