Agenda item

            The Committee considered the undernoted report:

“1       Relevant Background Information

1.1      The ongoing Renewing the Routes Programme has delivered local regeneration projects at targeted locations across the arterial routes of Belfast since 2004. The Programme has facilitated the investment of approximately £6.5 million across these key routes and neighbourhoods.

1.2      The Committee agreed a four year rolling programme for the continuation of local regeneration across the target areas of the city in February 2012.

1.3      The purpose of this report is to provide updates in respect of:

-        Progress of works under our current agreed programme in Ormeau and Newtownards Roads

-        Progress on the development of the Department of Social Development (DSD) funded local regeneration programme on Newtownards Road and on Lower Ormeau incorporating Cromac Street

-        Update on 2013/2014 programme on Oldpark Road and Andersonstown Road

-        Update on additional working using underspend monies to maximise Council’s investment in Sandy Row, Castlereagh Street, Antrim Road and Grosvenor Road

2.1      Newtownards Road Update 

           The commercial improvement programme is the main emphasis of work on the Newtownards Road (from Bridge End to Witham Street). The Newtownards Road scheme is being delivered in two phases, the Council funded programme (£150,000) is now complete with around 37 units receiving cosmetic improvement; and the DSD funded programme (£155,000) which will target around 35 further businesses by March 2014.

2.2      Renewing the Routes Ormeau Road Update

           Work is now complete on Ormeau Road (from Ormeau Embankment to Ravenhill Road Roundabout). Cosmetic upgrades to 31 commercial properties are now complete. The work to the commercial properties was supplemented by the completion of environmental improvement schemes on some of the road’s prominent buildings including Ballynafeigh Orange Hall and Ballynafeigh Community Development Association.

2.3      Ongoing collaboration with DSD: Update on Cromac

           Street/Lower Ormeau Road and Newtownards Road

           In May 2013, Committee supported a joint programme of regeneration activity in partnership with DSD’s Belfast Regeneration Office (BRO), on the basis of a funding offer, to extend our current work by implementing a commercial improvement scheme from Cromac Street to Stranmillis Embankment incorporating Lower Ormeau and add value to our current work on the Newtownards Road from Bridge End to the junction at Albertbridge Road with the support for £310,000.

2.4      The DSD funded programme on the Newtownards Road (£155,000) is targeting approximately 35 businesses who are currently signing up to the programme. On site work is currently underway on a number of units and it is anticipated works will be completed by March 2014. As part of the wider local regeneration activity on the road, a number of vacant sites have been identified and council is working with local stakeholders and statutory partners in developing projects to address the issues presented by the underutilised areas. 

2.5      Similarly on Cromac Street/Lower Ormeau Road programme (from Cromac Street to Stranmillis Embankment), approximately 27 businesses are targeted as part of the commercial improvement programme. Negotiations with shop owners are currently underway with traders responding positively to the proposed commercial improvement programme. Works are due to commence early January with an anticipated completion date of March 2014. A number of small scale environmental improvement projects are being scoped to complement the proposed works to the shops.

2.6      2014/15 Programme Andersonstown and Oldpark Roads

           Since approval in August 2013, the team have continued to develop projects agreed in the Regeneration Action Plans for Andersonstown (Stewartstown Road) from Hillhead Crescent to Suffolk Road and on Oldpark Road from Oldpark Ave to Cliftondene Crescent.

2.7      Design schemes for the commercial improvement programmes on both roads are in an advanced stage and it is anticipated contact will be made with owners and tenants in January 2014.

2.8      Environmental improvements to vacant sites are the main emphasis of work on Stewartstown Road. Discussions to identify opportunities for joined working are ongoing with Department of Regional Development’s (DRD) appointed consultants (Amey) on the implications of the enabling measures to facilitate the introduction of Belfast Rapid Transit (BRT) on these sites.

2.9      2011/12 Programme Underspend

           Integrated Regeneration Plans for Sandy Row, Castlereagh Street, Antrim Road and Grosvenor Road were approved by Committee in August 2011. The completion of these initiatives in the agreed Regeneration Plans was achieved within the agreed allocations with an underspend identified to allow further consideration of additional projects across all four areas which was agreed by Committee in May 2013. Work on the commercial improvement programme is currently underway on Antrim Road. Design schemes are at the final stages on Castlereagh Street, Sandy Row and Grosvenor Road with work proposed to commence in January 2014.

5         Recommendations

-        To note the work in relation to the current programme on Ormeau Road (Ormeau Embankment to Ravenhill Road roundabout) and Newtownards road (Bridge End to Witham Street);

-        To note the progress with the DSD funded local regeneration programme on Lower Ormeau Road incorporating Cromac Street and on Newtownards Road

-        To note the progress on the 2013/2014 Renewing the Routes programme, Andersonstown Road (Hillhead Crescent to Suffolk Road) and Oldpark Road (from Oldpark Ave to Cliftondene Crescent)

-        To note the progress on the 2011/12 underspend projects for Sandy Row, Castlereagh Street, Antrim Road and Grosvenor Road”

            The Committee noted the information which had been provided.