Ritchie calls for public opinion on Lisburn City’s future

Lisburn City Centre Masterplan was officially launched for public consultation today by Social Development Minister, Margaret Ritchie MLA.

Welcoming the release of the draft masterplan, which was funded by her Department, Margaret Ritchie said: “This is a great opportunity for the people of Lisburn to help shape the future of their city. I believe the masterplan provides us with an ambitious but realistic vision that will create an outward-looking, dynamic and liveable region sustaining a high quality of life for everyone. It will secure a strong and vibrant united city, making best use of its assets whilst protecting its ongoing success and prosperity. I would encourage everyone in Lisburn to give us their views on these plans for future development.”

Draft Masterplan proposals will be displayed in Lisburn City Library and can be viewed for a period of six weeks, from Friday 28 August 2009 to Friday 9 October 2009.

The Masterplan, which was compiled by a team led by GVA Grimley Ltd, aims to ensure that the city centre protects and capitalises upon its existing assets – its vibrant centre, its historic quarter and the Laganbank quarter. This can be achieved alongside proposing how new developments should be shaped to maximise benefits to Lisburn’s residents, business sectors and visitors.

Margaret Ritchie continued: “Lisburn has the opportunity to become an inspiring city centre and act as a catalyst for urban regeneration in Northern Ireland. This Masterplan will build on the work that is already ongoing and will help identify, and promote, further investment and development opportunities needed within the Historic and Laganbank Quarters.

“It will also complement the Council’s economic strategy for the wider city over the next decade to sustain Lisburn’s strong reputation as a major retail, social and cultural destination.

“It is important that people from Lisburn and the surrounding area take the opportunity to view the proposals and to comment on them. This will ensure that the final document takes into account the views and opinions of the people who will be most directly affected – the residents and business people of Lisburn and its environs.”

The Right Worshipful the Mayor Councillor Allan Ewart, Chairman of Lisburn City Centre Management said: “This is an important time for the people of Lisburn giving them the opportunity to comment on the emerging proposals coming out of the study. Throughout the six week period we would encourage all Lisburn residents and stakeholders to not only visit the display but to provide their feedback so that this can be considered in the final stages of development. The final Masterplan and its recommendations will be used by the Council and Lisburn City Centre Management to identify and promote further investment within the City Centre.”

Councillor Jenny Palmer, Chairman of Lisburn City Council’s Economic Development Committee said: “Working in partnership with the Department for Social Development and Lisburn City Centre Management the Council has been encouraged by the innovative ideas coming out of the study so far. It is important that local people use this time to get involved in the consultation process. Alongside this a wider process of consultation with a number of agencies and stakeholders is also being carried out which will ensure a co-ordinated, considered approach to any final recommendations.

"Having a strong Masterplan in place to encourage and co-ordinate private investment will be crucial in the efforts of the Council and its partners to secure and develop the City Centre’s economic future.”

Notes to Editors:

1. The Draft Masterplan for Lisburn City was produced by GVA Grimley in association with EDAW, Faber Maunsell and Berwin Leighton.
2. The funding for the masterplan was provided by the Department for Social Development.
3. The main display showing the draft Masterplan proposals will be in the Lisburn City Library, Linenhall Street, Lisburn and can be viewed for a period of six weeks, from Friday 28 August 2009 to Friday 9 October 2009. During this time the same display will also be located in the Council’s Headquarters at Lagan Valley Island, Lisburn.
4. Lisburn City Centre Management is a public/private partnership established to improve, promote and sustain the vitality, viability and long-term economic growth of the city centre. LCCM works with a wide range of stakeholders to develop the city centre as a premier retail and business location and an attractive environment for living, work and leisure.
5. Media enquiries to DSD Information Office on 028 90829078/07970 976894. Out of office hours please contact the Duty Press Officer via pager number 07699715440 and your call will be returned