Ritchie announces blueprint for Antrim

Social Development Minister Margaret Ritchie today visited Antrim to announce plans for a £90,000 blueprint to revitalise the town centre.

During her visit, the Minister also met local politicians and business people and viewed a number of key sites in the town.

She said: “Antrim is an historic town with many positive aspects. However, it also has a number of problems that need to be dealt with if it is to develop to its full potential. I am pleased to have had the opportunity to visit the town and see at first hand what some of the issues are.”

The Minister added: “In 2005, Antrim Borough Council produced a masterplan for the town centre which has provided us with an excellent analysis of the town, its strengths and the challenges facing it. My Department is committed to working closely with the Council to do what we can to regenerate the town. Therefore, I am pleased to announce that we have committed £90,000 to the preparation of detailed proposals. This work will be completed early in 2008 and I have no doubt that it will start a process of transformation in the town centre.”

The proposals will identify key sites for regeneration, consider transport, access and parking arrangements and advise on how public areas can be improved to enhance the appeal of the town centre to shoppers, visitors and investors. There will be extensive consultation on the plans as they are developed.

Welcoming the Minister’s visit to the town, the Deputy Mayor of Antrim, Oran Keenan, said: “We’re delighted with the Minister’s announcement today. It is a real vote of confidence in Antrim town and especially the Council’s Masterplan. We have been working closely with our public and private sector partners to use the Masterplan to bring about significant changes and improvements to Antrim town and the Minister’s announcement is a clear demonstration of how effective partnerships can make a real difference on the ground.”

Notes to Editors:

• During her visit, the Minister was shown some key development opportunity sites in Antrim town centre, High Street, the Pedestrian Priority Zone and the Old Courthouse. This was followed by a short reception at the refurbished Barbican Gate during which she had an opportunity to meet local Councillors and members of the Antrim Towns Development Company.
• The 2005 Masterplan prepared for Antrim Borough Council is available from the website.
• The Terms of Reference for the work being funded by DSD require the consultants to:

1. Consider the analysis of Antrim town centre undertaken as part of the masterplan commissioned by Antrim Borough Council and advise on any amendments or additions required to strengthen the analysis.

2. Consider the seven regeneration objectives established in the masterplan commissioned by Antrim Borough Council and advise on any amendments or additions in light of the work done under point 1.

3. Advise on the nature, scale and timing of work to restructure and redevelop Antrim town centre. As part of this, the Department requires the appointed consultants to identify key town centre sites and the most appropriate form and timing of development on those sites.

4. Advise on appropriate transportation, access and parking changes which may be required to support the regeneration objectives and the recommendations for restructuring and redevelopment.

5. Advise on appropriate public realm enhancements to support the regeneration objectives and complement the recommendations for restructuring and redevelopment.

6. Clearly define the role of the Department and other public sector bodies in the regeneration of Antrim town centre and the delivery of the recommendations following from the work done on points 3, 4 and 5.

• If further information is required, contact the DSD Information Office on 028 9082 9078.