Ritchie praises Lisburn regeneration

New Social Development Minister Margaret Ritchie visited Lisburn today and praised the efforts being made to regenerate the city centre.

She said: “It is a pleasure to be able to see at first hand some of my department’s excellent work to regenerate, develop and improve the city centre and hear about the exciting plans which Lisburn City Council and the city centre management company have for the future.

“Those plans are ambitious and I congratulate the Council and the others who have been involved for their vision. I endorse that vision and I confirm today that the Department for Social Development will work in partnership with Lisburn City Council to draw up and promote a Development Scheme for the Laganbank Quarter. I am sure that by working together we can jointly secure the future prosperity and success of the city.”

During her visit, Margaret Ritchie was given a presentation on work that has been done to regenerate Bridge Street in the city’s Historic Quarter and received a short tour of some of the regeneration projects which DSD has supported in recent years. She also welcomed to Northern Ireland a delegation from Carlisle City Council who are visiting Lisburn to learn about the city’s Historic Quarter regeneration initiative.

Welcoming the Minister’s visit to Lisburn, The Right Worshipful the Mayor, Councillor Trevor Lunn said: "Lisburn City Council is delighted to welcome Minister Margaret Ritchie to Lisburn City, to see first hand a series of leading city centre regeneration and development initiatives which have been implemented by Lisburn City Council and Lisburn City Centre Management.

“I wish to put on record Lisburn City Council's thanks for the support provided by her Department for some of these initiatives to date, and very much hope that this positive relationship will continue. We are moving forward now into a new phase of development, focusing on the city centre's public realm and our flagship Laganbank Quarter project.

“The Council's plans for the city centre are ambitious, but deliverable - a successful partnership approach with the Department and Lisburn City Centre Management will be crucial in ensuring this delivery."

NOTES TO EDITORS

1. Since the start of 2006, the Department has spent or committed £271,013 on environmental improvement schemes in the city. These include:

• £38,350.30 for a scheme at Bridge Street and Market Square South, which is now completed;
• £117,590 for a scheme at Railway Street and Market Square North which was completed earlier this year;
• £76,773 for a Pedestrian Signage project which will be implemented by March 2007; and
• £38,300 for an innovative Shop Front and Spruce Up Scheme in the Historic Quarter, which is due to run to August 2007

2. In 2005, Lisburn City Council commissioned consultants to produce Development Frameworks of two large areas with redevelopment potential on the south eastern side of Lisburn City Centre. Together, these areas are referred to as the Laganbank Quarter. Development Schemes on these sites could potentially produce very significant investment by the private sector in new retail, residential and commercial developments, possibly including a hotel.

3. It has been agreed that the Department for Social Development and Lisburn City Council should work together to draw up and promote a Development Scheme for the Laganbank Quarter. This is a process which will put in place the necessary planning framework to ensure that development in this part of Lisburn city centre follows the principles and delivers the objectives set out in the Development Frameworks. This process will also act as an important precursor to any use of the Department’s land acquisition powers.

4. Photograph and image to accompany the visit can be accessed on the DSD Website – http://www.dsdni.gov.uk/lisburn-visit-0507-pic.htm

5. For further information, contact the DSD Information Office on 90829496.