Ritchie announces way forward for regenerating the Northside of Belfast City Centre

A major regeneration implementation plan will breathe new life into the Northside of Belfast City Centre, says Social Development Minister Margaret Ritchie MLA.

The ambitious plan will mean new housing, and new businesses with the vision to create an urban village comparable to the best of European regional cities.

The Northside Urban Village will also include:

• proposals for the junction of Carrick Hill/ Millfield, Peter’sHill/North Street in order to create a ‘gateway’ to the city centre and associated development opportunities;
• a new public space/square at the junction of Library Street/Little Donegall Street.

Margaret Ritchie said: “This is a real boost for this area of North Belfast. There is an investment of £5.5million committed this year and an implementation plan for kickstarting regeneration in this area over the next 10 years. I am confident we will see new business, jobs and housing in this area. I therefore invite the private sector to bring forward development proposals to my department which we will actively consider. I will, if necessary, consider using my department’s statutory powers to support the regeneration of the Northside.

Addressing the question of social housing in the area, the Minister said: “Let’s be clear about this. I want to see social housing in this area, as part of the overall regeneration mix. Indeed we have set a target to promote the building of 827 new homes in the area by the private sector over the next 10 years with up to 20% of these earmarked for affordable and social housing. Our ambition is to promote a range of mixed tenure housing which provides an attractive environment for those of our people who wish to live together in a shared future cross-community neighbourhood.”

This now means that following public consultation, the Minister has decided to adopt the regeneration framework for the proposed Northside Urban Village in the North West Quarter of Belfast City Centre, published in April 2008.

Thanking those who responded to the consultation, Margaret Ritchie said: "The majority of the responses were supportive. Following careful consideration of the comments, I have decided to adopt the framework with minor adjustments, as supplementary guidance to the Belfast City Centre Regeneration Policy Statement published by DSD in April 2004.

"This marks a further milestone in my plans for the regeneration of the city centre. We want to create economic growth and an urban village experience which compares with the best of European regional cities.”

Minister Ritchie launched the framework at a meeting with local traders today.

John Moore, President of Belfast Chamber of Trade and Commerce, added, "I must thank the Minister for her investment in the North West Quarter of the City Centre. The significance of this Framework is the improvement of the gateway route from North West Belfast into the City Centre. This will lead to increased use by citizens and visitors, maximising the potential of the main arterial routes and the adjacent side streets as a catalyst for renewal of North West City Centre.

"The Chamber has been actively lobbying over the last number of years for the development of this area and now with this investment from the Department for Social Development, North West City Centre will see a major economic upturn in terms of retail offer, housing, entertainment and employment. Belfast Chamber of Trade and Commerce will be working in partnership with DSD and the business community to develop and promote the unique history of this area and expansion of the retail sector at a pace which maximises opportunity for investors and consumers.”

Notes to Editors:

1. The Northside Regeneration Framework provides a robust set of key development principles indicating the sort of development which the Department for Social Development (DSD) may consider using its statutory powers to support in the Northside.

2. Copies of the final Northside Regeneration Framework and Regeneration Implementation Plan are available on DSD website at www.dsdni.gov.uk. Also available is a summary of the responses to the draft framework and the Equality Impact Assessment received during the public consultation and the Department's response.

3. DSD’s priorities during the period 2009-2012 will include:

• identifying and acquiring at least two key development sites within the Northside area and redeveloping these with a private sector partner in order to provide mixed-use development in the area;
• inviting private sector developers to bring forward proposals for site-specific or comprehensive mixed-use regeneration across the Northside area;
• developing to planning approval stage urban regeneration proposals for a project related to the junction of Carrick Hill/ Millfield, Peter’s Hill/North Street in order to create a ‘gateway’ to the city centre and associated development opportunities;
• developing to planning approval stage proposals to create a new public space/square at the junction of Library Street/Little Donegall Street

4. All projects referred to in the Implementation Plan are subject to satisfying economic appraisal, obtaining all necessary DSD and DFP approvals, securing the required funding and satisfying any necessary statutory planning requirements.

5. Media enquiries to DSD Information Office on 028 9082 9078 or Helen Mulholland on 07970 976894. Out of office hours please contact Duty Press Officer via pager number 07699 715440 and your call will be returned.