DSD support brings landmark East Belfast project a step closer

Social Development Minister Margaret Ritchie today announced £5.4million funding towards transforming a two acre site on the Lower Newtownards Road.

During her visit to the East Belfast Mission site, the Minister met with officials and representatives of the Skainos Project to see for herself the scope and plans for transforming derelict areas on the Lower Newtownards Road in Belfast.

Minister Ritchie said: “The Skainos Project provides a significant opportunity to reinvigorate and revive this area. The ambitious proposals have the potential to alleviate the high levels of dereliction along what was historically one of Belfast’s main shopping thoroughfares. The scheme closely complements my Department’s commitment through Neighbourhood Renewal to supporting the physical, social, community and economic regeneration of disadvantaged areas.”

The Skainos project proposes to demolish a number of buildings at the existing East Belfast Mission site and transform the space into a state of the art, landmark business and community facility for the local area. The funding of up to £5.4million under the Department for Social Development’s Neighbourhood Renewal Strategy will be subject to Skainos Ltd securing the full remaining funding for the £14.6million development and firm commitment to occupy the development from the identified potential users.

The Minister went on to say: “I am confident that the delivery of this development will inspire confidence in both the local community and the private sector. Skainos and their various partners are to be congratulated on their innovative plans and I wish them every success as they move forward.”

The scheme, developed around a new civic square, includes a mix of commercial retail units, office accommodation, youth centre, multi-purpose hall, day-care crèche, a commercial kitchen and café, college/training centre, seminar rooms, social housing apartments, private apartments and a project aimed at helping the long-term unemployed return to the labour market.

Notes to Editors:

1.The Skainos Project will be delivered in two stages. The first stage, involving replacement of the present Hosford House, is being taken forward by Oaklee Housing Association.

2. Stage 2, the development of the project by Skainos Ltd has a total development cost of £14.6million. DSD has agreed funding of up to £5.4million for this element of the project. It is understood that Skainos Ltd are working with a number of other funders who are in the final stages of coming to a decision on the project.

3. The lower Newtownards Road is located in the Inner East Belfast Neighbourhood Renewal area. The Neighbourhood Renewal Strategy ‘People and Place’ aims to close the gap between the quality of life for people in the most disadvantaged neighbourhoods and the rest of society. 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 area.
• 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.

4. Access details of the Skainos Project .

5. Media enquiries to DSD Information Office on 028 90829078/07818 035258. Out of office please contact the Duty Press Officer via pager number 07699715440 and your call will be returned.