New way ahead for the regeneration of Belfast city centre

Minister for Social Development, Lord Morrow MLA, today welcomed a joint working arrangement between his Department and Belfast City Council in driving forward future regeneration and investment for the City of Belfast.

The Department for Social Development (DSD), working in partnership with Belfast City Council, have agreed that DSD will adopt the Council’s regeneration and investment strategy going forward.

Minister Morrow said: “Over the last number of years both my Department and the Council have worked closely together playing a prominent role in the revitalisation of Belfast city centre. This shared policy further strengthens this relationship and will now only serve to enhance both organisations in developing further initiatives which will provide a clearer vision on how the City can become even more attractive to major private sector investors and developers.”

The Minister added: “This joined up approach allows us to bring our expertise together to develop and form a shared vision on the best way forward for the regeneration and continued investment in the City of Belfast. It further delivers my Department’s commitment to work closely with councils across Northern Ireland to provide better and improved services to local communities.”

Councillor Declan Boyle, Chair of Belfast City Council’s Strategic Policy and Resources Committee said: “The Council wholeheartedly welcomes this collaborative arrangement through which we can achieve real and enduring change in our City. We are grateful to the Minister and his officials for committing to work in this innovative way. These are exciting times and a momentum is building that we need to be ready to translate into physical development consistent with our shared vision. Through this we can capture investment and make a real difference to the lives of those who live and work in Belfast.”

Notes to editors: 

1. As part of its Regeneration and Investment Strategy Belfast City Council has identified five Special Action Areas (SAAs) where more intensive local regeneration plans will be prepared. As DSD is currently considering the evaluation of its area-based Neighbourhood Renewal Programme they cannot adopt this part of the strategy at this time
   View the Belfast city centre regeneration and investment strategy
2. Media enquiries to DSD Press Office on 028 9082 9476 or email: press.office@dsdni.gov.uk out of office hours please contact the Duty Press Officer via pager number 07699 715440 and your call will be returned.

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