Work to get underway on regeneration of St Patrick’s Barracks, Ballymena

Demolition work, to prepare St Patrick’s Barracks for its future regeneration, is to get underway this month.

Most of the properties at the site will be demolished with the exception of the Sandhurst and York buildings which will be used for civic and community purposes along with the parade ground which will be used as an open shared space.

The Department for Communities has appointed Deane Public Works Ltd to undertake the demolition works which are due to be completed by the end of June 2018.

Damian Mulholland, Director of the Regional Development Office at the Department for Communities said: “Excellent progress is being made on the redevelopment of St Patrick’s Barracks.  In an important first step, demolition work will shortly be getting underway to prepare the site and in the coming days the Department will be submitting planning applications for development use and access roads.

“Subject to planning and other statutory approvals, the site will see significant investment in the town and will result in a mixed tenure/shared housing scheme along with leisure, civic and community space.”

Following extensive public consultation, the Department has published a consultation report and is now finalising the development plan for St Patrick’s Barracks.  A full copy of the consultation report can be viewed online. 

The Chief Executive of Mid and East Antrim Borough Council, Ms Anne Donaghy said: “The development of this iconic site in Ballymena is very exciting and is a flagship project for the entire borough. The St Patrick's Barracks proposals are aimed at not only encouraging enterprise, but also at making the maximum use of this large site's close proximity to the town centre and main commercial area. It is Council’s main priority in delivering our Corporate Plan that we grow our economy. What better way to do so than with this innovative and fresh regeneration project that will leave a legacy for generations to come.”

Notes to editors: 

1. St Patrick’s Barracks was closed by the Ministry of Defence in 2007 and declared surplus.  It was subsequently transferred to the Northern Ireland Executive and the Department for Communities is leading on the delivery of a housing-led regeneration programme with other interested public bodies.
2. A Programme Board was established in March 2015 consisting of representatives at a senior level from the other public sector stakeholders including NIHE, Mid and East Antrim Borough Council, the Northern Regional College, PSNI, Education Authority, Department for Education and the NI Science Park.
3. In March 2016 the Department appointed consultants to prepare a development plan as the basis for an outline planning application setting out proposed uses for the site.  A detailed design showing the proposed access routes and proposed uses is being finalised and will illustrate the overall development of the site.  
4. The preferred development plan was put out for public consultation from 28th November 2016 to 4th March 2017 and a final public event was held on 15th June 2017.   This included open days on site and displays in Council and community facilities throughout the Borough.
5. The demolition works are due to commence in early October 2017 and complete by 30 June 2018.
6. Media enquiries to DfC Press Office on 028 9082 3505. Out of Office contact the Duty Press Officer via pager number 07623 974 383 and your call will be returned.
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