by MARY MAGEE
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Mayor Trevor Lunn and City centre
Manager Patricia Elliott with Margaret Ritchie.
US2007-526C0
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Minister Margaret Ritchie in Lisburn
City centre with MP Jeffrey Donaldson and Mayor
Trevor Lunn. US2007-525C0
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NEW Social Development Minister Margaret
Ritchie has given her backing to council plans for the Laganbank
Quarter of Lisburn.
During a visit last week she praised the
efforts being made to regenerate Lisburn city centre and said it
was 'a pleasure' to hear about 'the exciting plans which Lisburn
City Council and the city centre management company have for the
future'.
She backed the plans which she described as
"ambitious" and confirmed the Department for Social Development
will work with the Council to draw up and promote a Development
Scheme for the Laganbank Quarter.
In 2005, Lisburn Council commissioned
consultants to produce Development Frameworks for two
large areas with redevelopment potential on
the south eastern side of Lisburn City Centre. Together, these
are referred to as the Laganbank Quarter.
Development Schemes and could potentially
produce very significant investment by the private sector in new
retail, residential and commercial developments, possibly
including a hotel.
It has been agreed the DSD and the Council
will work together to put in place the necessary planning
framework.
During her visit, Mrs Ritchie was also given
a presentation on work that has been done to regenerate Bridge
Street in the city's Historic Quarter and received a short tour
of some of the regeneration projects DSD has supported in recent
years.
She also welcomed to Northern Ireland a
delegation from Carlisle City Council who are visiting Lisburn
to learn about the city's Historic Quarter regeneration
initiative.
The minister was met by the Mayor, Councillor
Trevor Lunn, who said the council was delighted to welcome her
to see first hand a series of leading city centre regeneration
and development initiatives.
"We are moving forward now into a new phase
of development, focusing on the city centre's public realm and
our flagship Laganbank Quarter project" he said.
"The Council's plans for the city centre are
ambitious, but deliverable - a successful partnership approach
with the Department and Lisburn City Centre Management will be
crucial in ensuring this delivery."
