Council furthers progress on planned Carrickfergus regeneration

​“Significant progress” has been made by Mid and East Antrim Borough Council to further plans for a £38 million investment to regenerate, reposition and rebrand the town of Carrickfergus.

Forming part of the Belfast Region City Deal, the project will place the town firmly on the map as an authentic heritage-led tourism hub, part of the wider Belfast Story and the ‘must visit’ starting point to the internationally recognised Causeway Coastal Route.

Speaking at a meeting of the Council’s City Deal Elected Members Working Group, Alderman Billy Ashe MBE, said: “In recent months our officers and elected members have made significant progress in developing a comprehensive Outline Business Case (OBC) for this £38 million investment in the regeneration of the town, setting out a range of important considerations together with the wealth of potential benefits to be derived from the project.

“The submission of this OBC to the Treasury this summer is a significant step in the journey to realising the long-term boost that this project will deliver to the local residents and visitors to Carrickfergus, and the wider economy in Mid and East Antrim.”

Council has partnered with the Department for Communities and in particular the Historic Environment Division and the Department for Infrastructure to align our strategic objectives to secure this investment within Carrickfergus.

The project will include the development of the Castle, Walls and surrounding environment as a world-class heritage site and visitor attraction. The Castle setting will be further enhanced by high-quality public realm works, facilitating access to the town centre and creating a venue for residents and tourists.

The extension of the Gobbins cliff path and the regeneration of the former St Patrick’s Barracks site in Ballymena are also proposed to receive funding alongside the regeneration of Carrickfergus site through the Belfast Region City Deal.

The deal sets out a vision to create 20,000 new and better-paid jobs across the region’s growth sectors; pushing the ‘fast-forward’ button on inclusive economic growth and ensuring opportunities are accessible across all of our communities. It will also improve infrastructure, digital connectivity, visitor attractions and innovation hubs; and deliver a major skills and employability programme

For more information about the City Deal, visit: www.midandeastantrim.gov.uk/belfast-region-city-deal