Progress at St Patrick’s Regeneration site

The Department for Communities is leading on the regeneration of the former St Patrick’s Barracks site in Ballymena which is expected to deliver more than £160m investment through a comprehensive, mixed-use housing-led development.

Communities Minister Deirdre Hargey is pictured with Martin Pitt, Chair of Radius Housing

Housing

Communities Minister Deirdre Hargey has visited St Patrick’s to mark the launch of the new £29 million housing scheme on site that will provide 135 homes in our shared housing development. The housing scheme, funded by the Department for Communities and Radius Housing, forms an important part of our major regeneration project.

Minister Hargey said: “Access to a safe and secure home is a basic human right.  I am committed to delivering more homes for those who need them. I am determined that everyone has access to a good quality, affordable and sustainable home that is appropriate for their needs.”

The housing scheme is being delivered by Radius Housing with their lead contractor MJ McBride.  Construction of the new homes began in August and will consist of 32 apartments, including a number which are wheelchair accessible, and 113 houses, ten of which will be for private rent/sale as private homes.  The build has a focus on sustainability & the best standards of energy efficiency in the properties. The project will also see the creation of a new children’s play park.

Arabian cookery classes in Ballymena

Community

There has also been lots going on with the local community.  Radius commissioned poet and author Nandi Jola to create a book containing thoughts, stories, poems and illustrations from pupils from 12 local primary schools on the subject of ‘Home’.  The book is called ‘Knock Knock’ and was launched by the pupils at an event in the Long Gallery in Parliament Buildings, along with local MLAs and the Council Mayor.

With the help of Radius Housing, Ballymena Services Club has also hosted a programme of very successful Yallaa Kitchen cookery classes and an Arabian pop-up café. The club was excited to learn more about Arab Culture and found the events beneficial to their members and the wider community.

Meanwhile, the Road Contractor FP McCann have also been very proactive, already delivering various work, student and training placements.  More information on the opportunity for work placements is available from Ballymena Jobs & Benefits Office.

The new lines on the playground at Ballymena Nursery School

They have also used their specialist skills to paint ‘white lines’ on playgrounds to help imaginative play at the two nearest schools.

During the construction phase the stakeholders & contractors involved are actively engaging with local community organisations to provide support where needed. This could be in various forms - availing of materials or specialist equipment, or environmental, community group requirements. If you have any suggestions or want further information, please contact: StPatricksSite@communities-ni.gov.uk

Progress on the road

Infrastructure

Work is also progressing well on the construction of the new access spine road connecting Larne Link Road to the Broughshane Road. This new road will not only be an important link between the north and south of the town but will also be key in unlocking the site’s wider regeneration potential.  More detail on the actual road works can be found on the road contractor, FP McCann’s website

Public Spaces

Mid & East Antrim Borough Council has submitted a bid to the Levelling Up Fund in an effort to attract funding for their civic/events space plans, as well as a new bridge to Ecos, sensory garden and brickwork sculpture.  The outcome of this bid is expected in November 2022.

The new NRC campus

Learning

Construction work on Northern Regional College’s (NRC) new £45m campus in Ballymena started in July 2022. Neighbours will notice the Sports Hall at Farm Lodge has been demolished, and piling works are in progress.

The new campus, which is due for completion by December 2024, will bring their existing three buildings in Ballymena into one new, modern site.  It will feature a flexible ‘innovation zone’ that can be adapted for a range of activities, including cross-curriculum learning, conferences, and performances. Facilities will be aligned to meet the future needs of the local and regional economy, with around 50% of teaching space allocated to advanced technologies.

While the new campus is being constructed, teaching will continue as normal at Farm Lodge, Trostan Avenue, and the Lamont Building.  

For more information on the St Patrick’s regeneration please click the button below