Public to be consulted on key prison and army barracks sites

The public are to have a say on the future regeneration of the former Crumlin Road Gaol and Girdwood Army Barracks.

Social Development Minister Margaret Ritchie today announced a period of public consultation on the draft Masterplan for this key site.

Launching the public consultation on the draft Masterplan, the Minister said: “Today is another milestone in our plans to redevelop the former Crumlin Road Gaol and Girdwood Army Barracks. This is an important site for the future of this part of Belfast and for the regeneration of the city in general. It is important that the public, who have shown an interest in the Gaol in recent weeks, are able to have a say in how it is redeveloped in the future.”

The Minister said that the consultation will include a number of public meetings to ensure that as many people as possible have an opportunity to hear what is being proposed and to make their views known.

“The draft Masterplan shows a range of exciting development possibilities for the site. It represents a framework within which detailed proposals can be developed and demonstrates the potential mix of business, tourism, leisure, public space, health, education and housing that could be accommodated.”

Emphasising the importance of the consultation process, the Minister said: “The draft Masterplan is intended to stimulate open discussion and debate. I want to hear the views of the widest possible cross-section of people with an interest in the site.

“Exciting times lie ahead for this area. There is no doubt that the redevelopment of this site offers a once in a lifetime opportunity for physical, social and economic regeneration for the benefit of the entire local community and the wider city.

“We will require considerable courage and tenacity to make this vision a reality. If we are successful then this site, at one time, one of the most isolated and uninviting in Northern Ireland, can become one of Belfast’s most vibrant and attractive places.”

Notes to Editors:

1. The Crumlin Road Gaol was transferred to OFMDFM in August 2003 under the Reinvestment and Reform Initiative. The site of the former Girdwood Army Barracks was transferred to DSD in April 2006.
2. The two sites comprise some 27 acres providing a unique opportunity to regenerate one of the most disadvantaged parts of Belfast.
3. The combined site has been subject to a Masterplanning process in line with the site’s zoning under the draft Belfast Metropolitan Area Plan (BMAP).
4. In March 2006, an Advisory Panel was established comprising political, community and statutory representatives with the task of overseeing production of the draft Masterplan and making Panel recommendations to the Minister on the agreed plan. The Panel was chaired by Roy Adams, OBE. Mr. Adams is internationally respected for his work in urban planning and regeneration.
5. The public consultation will finish on 22nd January 2008.
6. The draft masterplan is available on the DSD Website at : http://www.dsdni.gov.uk/crumlin-masterplan.pdf
7. The draft masterplan consultation precis is available at: http://www.dsdni.gov.uk/precis-crumlin-masterplan.pdf
8. 8.Media enquiries to DSD Information Office on 028 9082 9078. Out of office hours please contact the Duty Press Officer via pager number 076 9971 5440 and your call will be returned.