Our Vision

We are planning to make North Belfast a centre for regeneration. This project is very important. We will ask local representatives and the public for their opinion on our plans. The work will improve how the area looks and bring jobs to North Belfast.

David Hanson MP, Minister for Social Development said:

"The imaginative and sensitive development of Crumlin Road Gaol and Girdwood Barracks has the potential to create a regeneration project of international significance which can bring maximum benefits to the community in North Belfast and the wider city.

"The Gaol and Girdwood Barracks have been part of life in Belfast for a long time, symbolizing the period of conflict. These sites can now become the engine for economic and social regeneration, harnessing public and private sector investment and creating employment and training opportunities in one of the most disadvantaged areas of Northern Ireland.

"We have the opportunity now to take these sites forward on an integrated basis through a master planning approach, and maximise the scope for regeneration. The North Belfast Community Action Unit of DSD will be responsible for this reporting regularly to me."

Referring to what will happen next, Mr Hanson said:

"The future development of the sites will be subject to a full public consultation. Now is the time to forward your views to the Department. I am confident that this process can lead to decisions on the future development of the sites which have the full support of the whole community.

"I am proposing to set up a local Advisory Panel to make recommendations to me on the development of the Gaol and Girdwood sites. I have appointed Mr Roy Adams as Chair of the Panel, to take forward this work. Mr Adams is internationally respected for his work in urban planning and regeneration and I am pleased that he has agreed to assist us."