Progress at St Patrick’s Regeneration site

The Department for Communities continues to drive the regeneration of the former St Patrick’s Barracks site in Ballymena.  At the start of the summer the St Patrick’s Link Road was opened to traffic and pedestrians. This new road will enable the site to be fully regenerated, with new developments across the site.  While the opening of the new road is a key milestone for the programme of regeneration, there is still lots progressing on the site and being planned for the future.

Housing

Work is progressing well on the construction of the new homes at the St Patrick’s Regeneration site. The social housing scheme is being delivered by Radius Housing with their lead contractor MJ McBride. The development will contain 135 new homes, consisting of 103 houses and 32 apartments, a number which are wheelchair accessible. The first properties are due to be completed in early 2024 with the remainder of the site due to be completed by summer 2025.

Current progress of construction Site - Radius Housing Development St Patrick's Regeneration

Education

Progress continues to be made on Northern Regional College’s (NRC) new £45m Ballymena campus which is being fully funded by the Department for the Economy. Drone Footage illustrates the growing momentum and progress, with overall steel work installation complete and the building now a permanent feature on the town landscape. Precast floors are at an advanced stage and the roof structures are underway. Design consultations are now complete, providing staff and students with a vision of what the finished spaces will look like for them and future students.

As part of the construction, lead construction contractor, Heron Bros., consultant team, McAdam Design and the College are delivering a range of social benefits for the local community and economy. The project is on target to deliver 1350 weeks of paid employment, currently employing two apprentices and one student.

The new campus remains on track for completion by early 2025.

   NRC Farm Lodge campus situated alongside the new St Patrick’s Link road.

Public Spaces

Mid and East Antrim Borough Council are progressing the Community Connections project which comprises a brickwork sculpture, sensory garden, civic events space and bridge to Ecos.  A design team is in place and the planning application will be submitted before the end of the year.

Sensory Garden

Leisure, Health and Wellbeing

Following approval by Mid and East Antrim Borough Council’s Elected Members in March 2023 the design team has been appointed to take forward the Leisure, Health and Wellbeing centre at St Patrick’s. The Planning process for the project is due to commence in August 2023 with a full application expected in February 2024.

Leisure Centre

Innovation 

Mid and East Antrim Borough Council are moving closer to securing £20.5m of funding from Belfast Region City Deal for the £24m i4C Innovation and Cleantech Centre.  The outline business case has been endorsed by the Department for the Economy and is now in the final stages of approval.  The project has continued to move forward with procurement of the design team currently underway.

i4C Innovation and Cleantech Centre

Infrastructure

The 2.4km St Patrick’s Link Road officially opened to the public on Friday 16  June 2023.  The new road provides a direct link between the North and South of the town, whilst also opening up the site to the public. The new road has received positive feedback from the wider Ballymena community since opening.

St. Patrick’s Link Road from the Broughshane Road Roundabout past the entrance to the ECOS Park and towards the Showgrounds

St Patrick’s Link Road construction process also delivered a range of social benefits to the local community through employment opportunities throughout the workforce and extensive engagement with local schools and community groups.

St Patrick’s Link Road from the Ballymena Showgrounds past the new NRC campus and towards the Larne Road Link

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