Homes could be built on the site of a controversial bonfire under plans to regenerate a North Belfast neighbourhood.
News of the proposal emerged as the Department for Communities published its Duncairn Gardens Development Study which includes a raft of ideas aimed at enhancing the area.
Among the plans floated is the building of 12 homes at Adam Street on the edge of the Tiger’s Bay district. The site is derelict and has been used over recent years for an Eleventh Night bonfire which has been at the centre of some tensions due, in part, to its proximity to an interface.
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Other ideas contained in the Study include overhauling or ‘softening’ interface barriers and attempting to encourage small businesses and entrepreneurship to take root in vacant buildings in the area. The ideas have emerged from a consultation which saw ‘local stakeholders’ asked for their views on how to improve the district.
Regarding enhancing the look of area, the Study states: “All groups agreed that the area would benefit from aesthetic improvements and reimaging. Duncairn Gardens is dominated by hard boundaries, with long walls and inward facing development.”
On plans for housing at Adam Street, it adds that “local stakeholders fully support the regeneration of the site, with a strong preference towards the provision of social/affordable housing”.
However, it is pointed out that some issues exist regarding the size, ownership and zoning of Adam Street when it comes to building homes there.
The report adds: “The existing size and shape of the site would be quite challenging for housing led regeneration, therefore the possible expansion of the site has been explored. Given the land use zoning, early engagement with Belfast City Council ’s Planning Service will also be important to confirm support for housing on the site.
“The NIHE have confirmed that they are minded to support up to 12 homes at this location. As with any new development, the NIHE would want to work closely with the relevant Housing Association and the community to ensure the homes are sustainable housing choices.”
To address size issues, the Study suggests that “an opportunity exists to merge the site with part of the TeleTech site in order to create a viable opportunity for mixed use development”.
The Study says that “engagement with InvestNI is ongoing” as they own the site. Regarding the rest of the now empty TeteTech site and building, the Study adds: “Conversations with local stakeholders indicated an aspiration to bring the property back into community and social use, creating potential training centres and employment for local communities.”
The Study also said that the “partial recreation of Adam Street has cultural and historic significance for the Tiger’s Bay community”.
In a statement issued along with the Study, the Department for Communities says it “was commissioned by the Department following calls from the local community in the Duncairn and Tiger’s Bay area to focus on areas of concern and outlines a way forward for the physical regeneration of the neighbourhoods”.
They added: “The Duncairn Gardens Development Study, which is as priority for the Department, includes a number of recommendations to regenerate under-utilised land and buildings, address vacancy and dereliction, improve the local environment and reduce anti-social behaviour.”
Department for Communities Director of Belfast Regeneration Patrick Anderson said: “Duncairn Gardens and the surrounding area has suffered from an element of physical decline and increased anti-social behaviour in recent years. These issues raised enabled the Department to commission a study to establish an action plan, designed to stimulate regeneration in the area.
“This includes a number of recommendations that - in the short, medium and long-term - will make the area a more positive place to live and work in.
“Regeneration is a key part of this Department’s work, but it needs to address more than physical development, looking more broadly at the social and economic needs of a community. And this can only be done in partnership, with both a wide range of stakeholders and, most importantly, local residents.
“With this in mind, I would like to thank all those who contributed to the study and who helped design a plan for the future of the area.”
Ailbhe Hickey, Acting Assistant Director Land & Regeneration at the Housing Executive, said: “We have engaged with the Department for Communities on the Duncairn Development Study.
“While plans are at an early stage, we will continue to work with landowners and engage with the community and wider stakeholders regarding development proposals.”
To read the full report, see here.
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