A group campaigning for a new sports and community facilities at the Bone Hills in Ardoyne brought their case to the social development minister last week.

Representatives from the Ardoyne/Marrowbone sports group met with Nelson McCausland to discuss the proposal for a 3G pitch and community facility on the site of the Bone Hills.

Speaking after the meeting, one of the group’s members, local SDLP councillor Nichola Mallon said they had a “positive” discussion with the minster.

“We updated the minister on the progress made by the group in terms of getting the pitch element to a stage where it meets all the necessary requirements to release funding,” she said.

“A business plan and a feasibility study has been completed. A planning application has been lodged and an economic appraisal of the project is underway.”

She said the big challenge now is to secure funding.

“We are delighted that the pitch has been shortlisted for £245,000 of funding from Sports NI but there is still a shortfall to make up. This is where the Group is now channeling all of our efforts. The new Minister was clearly up to speed with the details of the project. We have asked him for his support to deliver this project and we will continue to lobby tirelessly inside and outside Government to secure the necessary funding to make this dream of our young people a reality.”