Belfast City Centre: North West Quarter Part 2 Draft Regeneration Framework

Good morning. [Lord Mayor], ladies and gentlemen.

I am delighted to launch for public consultation the Draft Regeneration Framework for the North West Quarter Part Two area of Belfast City Centre.

Comprised of the neighbourhoods of Browns Square, Carrick Hill and Press and Library Quarters, the North West Quarter Part Two area is important in regeneration terms as it connects to the city centre the communities of Northwest Belfast.

The Northside has been neglected for too long. I want to change that by creating an environment where people can raise their families and work in an area close to their roots.

The framework has the potential to deliver clear benefits, including an estimated:

This marks a further step in delivering my Department’s commitment to work with the private and community sectors, our statutory partners and stakeholders to revitalise Belfast City Centre as a leading regional capital city.

In taking forward the regeneration of this area my Department proposes to promote the Quarter as the Belfast City Centre ‘Northside Urban Village’.

We believe that this conveys our vision to build on the historic character and rich community life of the area. The creation of a distinctive urban village holds the potential to improve the quality of life, well being and prosperity of those who live and work in the Northside.

We propose taking forward the regeneration by means of this Draft Framework rather than through a single site masterplan approach. A framework approach to regeneration better suits the needs of the Northside as it will provide for phased implementation over a number of years based upon market response to development opportunities and the availability of funding.

In order to gain DSD support we propose that prospective development proposals should meet the following key principles:

We propose to regenerate the Northside by identifying land use best suited for particular development themes.

The Library/Press Quarter is proposed as a location for urban living combined with an evening economy that will attract creative industries, social economy enterprises, tourism, cultural and arts development.

’City edge’ living is proposed for Browns Square and Carrick Hill.  Their close proximity to the city centre means that these areas can be considered to be part of a wider ‘walkable neighbourhood’.  

Millfield to the north of Castle Street, including the current Belfast Metropolitan College campus, is recognised as a location for education and employment.  

The concept plan for the ‘Northside Urban Village’, set out in the framework, illustrates how the urban structure of the area could be strengthened through a series of catalytic projects around the central regeneration themes that I have described.

I am grateful to the 56 organisations or individuals which submitted comments on the ‘Baseline Issues Report’ which underpins the framework.

My Department has given careful consideration to those representations in preparing the framework and our response has been published today on the DSD website.

The framework will now provide the focus for public debate on how to achieve the best regeneration for the Northside.  The key to making the regeneration happen is to attract private investment into the area. We believe that the framework provides a comprehensive route map and guide for investors.

In implementing the framework my Department would aim to select through open competition a preferred developer partner or a consortium of developers with experience in delivering inner-city regeneration.  

We aim to deliver through the framework at least 165 new affordable homes, including social housing, to be located throughout the Northside.

DSD will take a positive lead to attract private investment by considering using the Department’s statutory comprehensive development powers to support proposals which are justifiable, viable within a relevant timescale, in the public interest and that obtain planning permission.

In addition I intend to create an investment fund for the area to help lever private investment and will commit an initial £5.5m to this fund.   

This Regeneration Framework sets out a brighter future for the Northside of Belfast City Centre.

Throughout the long years of the Troubles, Belfast suffered depressed expectations and low aspirations.  Lives and livelihoods were lost and whole communities were ripped apart by violence and intimidation.

Since the ceasefires and the Good Friday Agreement, things have become much better.  We now have a growing economy with minimal unemployment; and, a society that people want to join rather than leave.

We can release the great potential that was locked away during the Troubles and push forward our ideas, our products and innovations to the wider world.   

But this isn’t just a chance to strengthen our economy.  It’s also an opportunity to heal the deep divisions in our society.

Our goal must be to work together to a common project in the common good – and nothing less.

We must avoid the development of ghettos - be they in our towns and cities or in our minds.

We must build a society that is shared and equal.  After all, good relations cannot be built on unequal foundations.  Allowing or ignoring inequality will only breed resentment and perpetuate division. That is why we will be carrying out an equality impact assessment in parallel with this consultation.

So my vision is of a shared equal future where all our people have the same life chances and feel comfortable and safe together - at work, at home and at play.  

This Regeneration Framework aims to help create the conditions for that shared future for the Northside by creating an inclusive urban village offering a better future to all who live there.

To conclude, we want your views on the framework. I look forward to receiving your comments. Following full consideration of views, we will take this work forward to attract the much needed investment and build a prosperous future for the Northside.  

Thank you.