Key Achievements since 2008
More than £1 billion has been invested in our social infrastructure over the last three years. Some of the key achievements are set out below.
• Work has been taken forward in a number of towns and city centres improving the experience for visitors, shoppers and residents including the opening of the Victoria Square scheme in 2008 which created almost 9,000 jobs in construction and retail. This scheme was awarded the Urban Regeneration Initiative of the Year award at the 2008 MAPIC Retail Awards in Cannes. Major environmental schemes have also been completed in Belfast (Streets Ahead), Newcastle, Lurgan, Portadown, Armagh, Derry~Londonderry, Coleraine, Kilkeel and Downpatrick. These have generated greatly enhanced footfall, for example by 300% in Newcastle, which in turn has stimulated private sector investment in enhancing retail and leisure facilities.
• Regeneration in the Laganside area of Belfast has continued with the completion of major residential and commercial developments including The Boat, Obel, Lanyon Towers, The Soloist and Pottinger's Quay. The combined total private investment facilitated by these developments is estimated to be in the order of £260m.
• A major £3m restoration project to the Gatehouse and Governor's Corridor at Crumlin Road Gaol has now been completed. The work to arrest the structural deterioration of these two parts of the Gaol will enable them to be brought back into public use. Facilities for visitors have been greatly enhanced and now include a comfortable waiting /shop area, a café, facilities for tour guides, office accommodation, and a 180 seat conference centre. The social clauses built into this contract ensured two jobs for the long-term unemployed and one apprenticeship were created. Plans to re-open the Gaol as a visitor attraction and conference centre in summer 2012 are underway. This new attraction has the potential to act as a positive catalyst for social and economic regeneration in North Belfast. Other works, such as the repair and restoration of the Gaol walls and roof, which are still on-going, have enabled a wing of the Gaol to be put on the market for commercial leasing. It is hoped that this will further contribute to the social and economic regeneration of the area.
• Ministers decided to create a Development Corporation to take forward the development of the Maze/Long Kesh (MLK) - a key strategic site for regional economic and social benefit. Studies have been undertaken to identify the social needs of local and wider regional communities and produce options specifying how these needs will be addressed. The regeneration of MLK will deliver the vision and strategic objectives as set out in the MLK Corporate Plan. Work is progressing on the site. A major programme of remediation works is nearing completion. There has been general refurbishment of existing buildings at the gate lodge and other site improvements. Substantial projects for both a peace building and conflict resolution centre, and a centre for rural excellence have been proposed and are being developed for approval.
• The opening of the Peace Bridge in Derry~Londonderry in June 2011 is part of a wider peace and reconciliation programme that proactively encourages greater levels of positive engagement between all communities living within the city.
• Refurbishment of one building on the Ebrington site has provided headquarters accommodation for the Derry~Londonderry City of Culture Company; indicating tangible progress in the development of Ebrington and providing a focus for the ongoing preparations for the City of Culture 2013 events. • By the end of 2010/11 approximately 5,000 social homes were built, supporting those in the greatest need and 1,200 individuals and families will have been helped to buy their own home through the Northern Ireland Co-ownership scheme. • Twenty-seven Jobs & Benefits Offices have opened and a formal independent evaluation of the first twenty-five offices confirmed on average a 13% reduction in the Jobseekers Allowance register within three months of go-live. • The Ulster Museum reopened its doors to the public after a significant refurbishment and is now Belfast's busiest attraction and winner of the UK Art Fund Prize. Also in the University area of Belfast, the refurbished and extended Crescent Arts Centre opened its doors to the public in April 2010. • The redeveloped Tollymore National Outdoor Centre reopened and is an outstanding example of design that embraces green technology. • There has been £53m investment in sport over the past three years, much of it at community level, for example, Moyola Park AFA, Cookstown Hockey Club, Lower Ormeau Residents' Action Group, with the associated benefits to people on the ground. • The new Lyric Theatre in Stranmillis was completed in February 2011. • The new Public Records Office landmark building reached completion and opened to the public in March 2011. |
