Plans To Transform Ballymena Barracks Progress

Plans for the regeneration of St. Patrick's Barracks in Ballymena have moved a step closer after planning approval was granted for the former military base.

Up to 140 homes, a £30 million leisure, health and well-being centre and a new road network are among the proposals for the Department for Communities led scheme.

The Department for Communities (DfC) submitted three planning applications comprising one outline application for the creation of a flagship, shared, mixed use, housing-led regeneration scheme and two full planning applications for the proposed Northern and Southern Link Roads.

Mid & East Antrim Borough Council's Planning Committee granted the approvals on 14 March 2019.

Paul Carr from the DfC welcomed the news: "The Department is delighted to have obtained planning approval for the St. Patrick's Barracks site. This is an important step and represents the achievement of a major milestone in the regeneration of this site. As well as approving the site as a shared, mixed use, housing-led regeneration scheme, the approved Northern and Southern Link Roads will allow the site to be fully incorporated into the existing Ballymena town centre offering."

The Council also plans to add an Integrated Industrial and Innovation Campus on the site in an effort to arm people with the kills to compete on a global stage as digital innovators and entrepreneurs.

Council Chief Executive Anne Donaghy commented: "The plans for the St Patrick's Barracks site set out a hugely exciting future for the town. It is great to reach this milestone and move one step closer to the exciting plans becoming a reality. As a Council, we are fully committed to supporting business growth and development and promoting an environment that encourages and facilitates investment in our borough.

"Together with the backing of our elected representatives- who have demonstrated unwavering support to our focus on economic growth- we have introduced and delivered a number of initiatives which have the potential to transform the economy in this borough."

The Department and partner organisations will now move towards implementation of the roads and access infrastructure and develop plans for the site in more detail.



(JG/CM)