Vacant Belfast Land To Be Redeveloped For Housing

Clanmil Housing Association has been appointed to develop a mixed-use, residential-led scheme on 1.7 acres of Belfast city centre land, owned by Belfast City Council and the Department for Communities. The project, located at Little Donegall Street, Library Street, and Kent Street, aims to increase city centre living and regenerate the inner northwest area.

The scheme will feature a range of mixed-tenure homes, including social and private houses and apartments, to meet the needs of those wanting to live in the city. It will also include community infrastructure spaces and commercial units, with a focus on placemaking and neighbourhood connections.

Councillor Ryan Murphy, Chair of Belfast City Council's Strategic Policy and Resources Committee, said: "This important partnership between Belfast City Council, the Department for Communities and Clanmil will result in real progress being made towards achieving our targets for city centre living, set out in the Belfast Agenda and our Bolder Vision for Belfast. Our city centre's inner northwest area has been crying out for regeneration and investment for years." He highlighted the positive impact of the Ulster University campus and the future Belfast Stories visitor attraction, emphasising the importance of city centre living and community connections. "We want to create sustainable, quality places that people want to live, work, and play in," he said.

Communities Minister Gordon Lyons welcomed the appointment, stating: "This is a significant step toward delivery of much needed city centre residential accommodation that will deliver on a number of my Department's policy objectives, including housing and regeneration, by creating a more vibrant and attractive city centre where people will want to live, work and visit."

Carol McTaggart, Group Chief Executive at Clanmil, said: "We are delighted to have been appointed delivery partner for this exciting city centre residential led development. Social housing has an important role to play in the regeneration of Belfast and in contributing to the Council's ambition to grow the city by 66,000 residents by 2035. This landmark project will help provide the homes people need now and in the future and we are looking forward to working with Belfast City Council and the Department for Communities to bring this area of the city centre back to life."

The project will involve extensive engagement with stakeholders, including local communities, the NIHE, and statutory bodies.

For more information on Belfast City Council's work to regenerate Belfast city centre, go to www.belfastcity.gov.uk/citycentre.