Belfast councillors are to spend the coming months deciding which community projects get a share of a £10 million fund.
The Neighbourhood Regeneration Fund may end up being used to help a range of projects from hotels to restoring listed buildings and a floating pontoon on the Lagan.
So far 21 projects have been shortlisted for a new £10 million capital fund from Belfast City Council.
Read more: Stormont "tone deaf" over Belfast city centre cafe plans
The Fund “will help groups deliver capital projects in their communities which help develop neighbourhood tourism, improve environmental sustainability and support the city’s social economy”, City Hall says.
Project proposals that have made it to stage two of a three-stage process include artist studios, heritage centres, museum and exhibition spaces, hotels, enterprise units, projects to restore listed buildings and a water activity hub with a floating pontoon and footbridge on the River Lagan.
Councillor Emmet McDonough-Brown, Chair of Belfast City Council’s Strategic Policy and Resources Committee, said: “This fund is going to make a huge difference to people in neighbourhoods across the city. I am really excited by the variety and ambition of the projects that have made it to this stage of the process.
“The standard of the applications that we received was extremely high, so narrowing these down to the current shortlist has proven to be quite a difficult task. We want to maximise the impact of our funding, so applicants were required to demonstrate how their project will contribute to the wider tourism, environmental and social economy objectives of the fund’s themes.
“The projects that have progressed to this stage are the ones that we feel will have the greatest impact. They include lots of exciting new ideas, as well as proposals to enhance existing facilities, restore listed buildings for tourism use, upgrade community premises, develop new visitor experiences and provide much-needed studio space for artists. I look forward to seeing which of these projects make it through to the third and final phase next year after which funding will be agreed, and delivery begins.”
Not all 21 projects that have progressed to this stage are guaranteed funding, the council says. Over the next few months, applicants will work with council officers to develop their proposals further. At the end of this phase, councillors will consider the projects again and determine which will move forward to the delivery stage.
The projects that have been selected to progress to the second stage of the three-stage process are listed below.
EastSide Container Hotel project (applicant EastSide Property Belfast Ltd) - development of 10 unique serviced tourist apartments overlooking CS Lewis Square.
Portview Exchange project (applicant Belfast Unemployed Resource Centre) – development of artist studio space and retail unit.
Nevin Spence Centre Visitor Experience project (applicant Ulster Rugby) - upgrade to Ulster Rugby’s museum and heritage centre.
Impact Hub project (applicant Impact Belfast) - redevelopment of a former church into a state-of-the-art hub for social impact organisations.
West Belfast (including Shankill)
The Mountainview Hotel (applicant Fáilte Feirste Thiar) - a socially owned, environmentally friendly 65-bedroom hotel.
Michael Davitt’s Community Heritage Centre (applicant Michael Davitt’s GAC) - museum and exhibition space, plus a new multi-purpose hall.
Croí na Carraige - ‘The Heart of the Rock’ (applicant Glór na Móna) - multi-purpose Irish language youth, community, family and heritage hub.
ACT Initiative Community Hub and Visitors’ Centre (applicant Action for Community Transformation Initiative) - new community hub, offices, visitor centre and exhibition space.
The Road (applicant Lower Shankill Community Association) – an interpretive centre focusing on the history of the Shankill Road.
Glencairn Community Project Hub (applicant Glencairn Community Project) - purpose-built community and youth facility.
Cliftonville Community Enterprise project (applicant Cliftonville Community Regeneration Forum) – two-storey childcare facility and eight enterprise units.
AYE Youth and Community Hub (applicant Ardoyne Youth Enterprise) – shared youth hub, creative learning centre and office space.
Green Growth and The Circular Economy project (applicant Ulster Supported Employment Ltd) - extension of premises to add a 600sq metre, purpose-built processing unit with storage.
Belfast Orange Hall refurbishment project (applicant Belfast Orange Hall) – refurbishment of Grade B-listed building.
St Joseph’s restoration project (applicant Sailortown Regeneration Group) – restoration of Grade B+ church and parochial house.
Sólás new build project (applicant Sólás) – development of three-storey building and outdoor space for the special needs charity.
Branching Out project (applicant Greater Village Regeneration Trust) - refurbishment and extension of existing premises.
Lagan Water Access Activity Hub (applicant Lower Ormeau Residents’ Action Group) – water activity hub on the River Lagan including floating pontoon and footbridge.
Redevelopment of Riddel’s Warehouse (applicant Hearth Historic Buildings Trust) – improvements to disused listed building including creation of an arts centre, co-working space and visitor attraction.
Redevelopment of former School of Music (applicant Fitzroy Presbyterian Church) – transformation of a derelict listed building into a rehearsal, dance and event space, a gallery and artist studios.
Regeneration of the former St Malachy’s Convent School and warehouse at Sussex Place (applicant Market Development Association) - a vibrant new community heritage hub and visitor attraction.
For more information on the fund including the full list of projects that have been shortlisted, visit www.belfastcity.gov.uk/regenerationfund.
READ NEXT:
Belfast Council Chief and councillors clash over behind closed doors meetings
Belfast fuel poverty scheme criticised for £60,000 income threshold
Belfast Council report on ethnic inequalities in city a "sobering" read
Belfast Council says no Christmas tree switch-on or countdown for "health and safety" reasons
For all the latest news, visit the Belfast Live homepage here. To sign up to our FREE newsletters, see here.
