Minister announces Carrickfergus masterplan

A Masterplan to examine the issues facing Carrickfergus has been announced today by Social Development Minister Margaret Ritchie during her visit to the town.

In recognising the many unique attributes including the castle, maritime and seafront areas, Minister Ritchie said: “What needs to be done now is to ensure that we build upon the strengths and seek to capitalise on the opportunities. Carrickfergus attracts large numbers of visitors but it needs to ensure that those visitors are drawn to see much more of what the town can offer.

“A Masterplan will enable us to look at all the issues and weigh them up in an independent manner. Only by taking a holistic view of the wider town centre can we plan for the regeneration of the town over the next ten years and beyond.”

The appointment of specialist consultants will begin an exercise which will include consulting key stakeholders in order to agree the key issues and objectives. Then the Masterplan can flow from this.

Carrickfergus has already benefited from the Department for Social Development’s (DSD) involvement in the past. Projects have included the Maritime Area Comprehensive Development Scheme, in which DSD facilitated the scheme by making it viable and attractive to the private sector.

DSD and the local Council have also co-funded environmental improvement schemes including the recently completed work beside the castle installing new paving, lighting and seating. Work on a new £400,000 scheme on the marina side of the castle is due to commence soon with the Department contributing funding of over £300,000.

Minister Ritchie also called in at the Jubilee Hall in Greenisland to congratulate some local community groups on work done to refurbish the hall and some other community support measures. These projects benefited from funding from a Neighbourhood Renewal scheme managed by the Northern Ireland Housing Executive.

Notes to Editors:

1. The Neighbourhood Renewal Strategy 'People and Place' which was published in June 2003, sets out Government’s proposals for closing the gap between the quality of life for people in the most deprived neighbourhoods and the rest of society.

2. The Neighbourhood Renewal Strategy has four interlinking strategic objectives:

Community Renewal - to develop confident communities that are able and committed to improving the quality of life in their areas.

Economic Renewal - to develop economic activity in the most deprived neighbourhoods and connect them to the wider urban economy.

Social Renewal - to improve social conditions for the people who live in the most deprived neighbourhoods through better co-ordinated public services and the creation of safer environments.

Physical Renewal - to help create attractive, safe and sustainable environments in the most deprived neighbourhoods.

3. In addition to 35 Neighbourhood renewal areas established under the Strategy there are 19 smaller areas mainly in Housing Executive estates which qualify for funding from the Neighbourhood Renewal Investment Fund.

4. Media enquiries to DSD Information Office on 028 9082 9078. Out of office hours please contact the Duty Press Officer via pager number 07699 715 440 and your call will be returned.