Hanson appoints team to tackle derelict Belfast areas

Social Development Minister David Hanson today announced the appointment of consultants to develop plans to regenerate five major areas of dereliction in Belfast.

During a visit to the lower Newtownards Road, Mr Hanson confirmed the appointment of RPS Consulting Engineers to produce masterplans for Inner East Belfast; Lower Shankill; Shore Road; Crumlin Road and Lower Falls areas.

The Minister said: “The need for masterplans for these areas was envisaged in the “Renewing Communities” action plan, published last year.  The masterplans will target the Lower Shankill, Inner East Belfast, Shore Road, Crumlin Road and Lower Falls areas and are the first step towards addressing the sustainable regeneration of some of the worst areas of urban dereliction in Belfast.  

"The RPS team comprises experts in urban design, retail studies, transport studies, economic appraisal, quantity surveying and legal advice and I believe their involvement will reinvigorate the targeted areas and lead to the removal of the dereliction which has blighted these areas for many years.”

RPS will commence this work immediately and it is expected that the masterplans will be completed in around six months time.  Ongoing engagement with the communities and their representatives in the affected areas will be a key element of the process.

Mr Hanson also took the opportunity to view plans by East Belfast Enterprise to redevelop the former ‘Kwik-Fit’ site at the bottom of the lower Newtownards Road.  He was briefed on the organisation’s proposal to develop a 20,000 sq ft Business Incubation Centre on the site.

The Minister concluded: “These areas have been identified as some of the most underprivileged, disadvantaged and deprived in Belfast.  The masterplans demonstrate Government’s commitment to a more strategic approach to investment in these areas. They should also signal confidence in the improvement of these areas and act as a catalyst to encourage investment from the private sector.”

Notes to Editors:

Media enquiries to DSD Information Office on 028 9082 9078

Photographs available: www.dsdni.gov.uk/derelict-belfast-pics.htm

Caption 1: On a visit to the Lower Newtownards Road today Social Development Minister David Hanson confirmed the appointment of RPS Consulting Engineers to produce masterplans to regenerate Inner East Belfast; Lower Shankill; Shore Road; Crumlin Road and Lower Falls areas.  Pictured L-R: Raymond Holbeach, RPS Consulting Engineers; Henry McArdle, Department for Social Development; David Hanson, Social Development Minister; Frank Duffy, Department for Social Development.

Caption 2: On a visit to the Lower Newtownards Road today Social Development Minister David Hanson confirmed the appointment of RPS Consulting Engineers to produce masterplans to regenerate Inner East Belfast; Lower Shankill; Shore Road; Crumlin Road and Lower Falls areas.  Pictured L-R: Frank Duffy, Department for Social Development; David Hanson, Social Development Minister; and Raymond Holbeach, RPS Consulting Engineers.

Masterplans

The proposed masterplanning exercise to address areas of major dereliction across Belfast was first announced as an element of the Renewing Communities Action Plan, published in April 2006.  

East Belfast Enterprise

The Department for Social Development selected East Belfast Enterprise as its preferred developer for the Kwik-Fit site.

The proposed “Cityeast” development will offer 20,000 sq ft of office space to local entrepreneurs along with a community/business networking centre.

The £2.3m development is supported by the EU Peace Programme and the International Fund for Ireland.

It is hoped that planning permission will soon be in place and that construction can begin in the summer, with expected completion June 2008.