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Springvale 'stamped wtih failure' Springvale 'stamped with failure'
(about 1 hour later)
An assembly watchdog committee has sharply criticised the University of Ulster and a government department over the failed Springvale project.An assembly watchdog committee has sharply criticised the University of Ulster and a government department over the failed Springvale project.
The project, aimed at setting up a university campus on the Springvale site in north/west Belfast, saw at least £3.6m wasted. The project, aimed at setting up a university campus on the Springvale site in north/west Belfast, led to at least £3.6m wasted.
The Public Accounts Committee said the UoU and Department of Employment and Learning lost the will to succeed.The Public Accounts Committee said the UoU and Department of Employment and Learning lost the will to succeed.
The report said the scheme was "stamped with failure".The report said the scheme was "stamped with failure".
The committee of MLAs feels "very strongly" the DEL "failed in its role as the government's representative on Springvale".The committee of MLAs feels "very strongly" the DEL "failed in its role as the government's representative on Springvale".
An Audit Office report almost a year ago was critical but this report goes further.An Audit Office report almost a year ago was critical but this report goes further.
"Appalling", "ill-advised" and "disturbing" are some of the adjectives used in this review of the Springvale debacle."Appalling", "ill-advised" and "disturbing" are some of the adjectives used in this review of the Springvale debacle.
As well as the money wasted in the process was the unquantifiable cost of the time and effort put in by local people and various government agencies.As well as the money wasted in the process was the unquantifiable cost of the time and effort put in by local people and various government agencies.
However, the committee said it is the community in a heavily deprived area "which is paying the price of failure".However, the committee said it is the community in a heavily deprived area "which is paying the price of failure".
The committee wants the government to now look afresh at creating a significant educational facility on the site.The committee wants the government to now look afresh at creating a significant educational facility on the site.
The first sod of the Springvale campus was cut in 1998 by the then US President Bill Clinton.The first sod of the Springvale campus was cut in 1998 by the then US President Bill Clinton.
The university announced it was pulling out of the project in 2002.The university announced it was pulling out of the project in 2002.