Our Improvement Objectives: Improvement Objective 2

Improvement Objective 2: Revitalising our towns

Through a variety of regeneration activities, support our businesses, welcome inward investment, and attract visitors to our towns.

Why are we doing this?

Delivering clean and attractive streets and towns was identified as being one of the top 5 priorities for making Mid and East Antrim a better place to live in. (Source: Mid and East Antrim Borough Council Citizens Survey, 2022).
Of 20 potential actions, respondents ranked clean and attractive towns and streets as the joint second most popular action the Council could take to make their area a better place to live in.
The regeneration of towns and streets ranked seventh.

(Source: Mid and East Antrim Borough Council Citizens Survey, 2022).

Who is responsible?

The Director of Development and the Director of Operations.

What you’ll see

Outcome 1	Clean and attractive towns and streets.
Measure 1	A Keep Northern Ireland Beautiful Street Cleansing Index score of 66% or above by 31 March 2024.
Status: Achieved	Surveys were undertaken in July to September 2023, and January to March 2024, with a score of 70% achieved within each period.

Outcome 2	Enhancement of Ballymena and Larne town centres through public realm improvement works.
Measure 1	The completion of public realm improvement works at Point Street Larne by 31 August 2023.
Status: Achieved	The public realm works completed on 5 May 2023, and included additional infrastructure upgrades by Northern Ireland Electricity. The cleaning and sealing of the footway took place shortly after, alongside the decommissioning of the works compound.
Measure 2	The completion of public realm improvement works at Castle Street Ballymena by 31 December 2023.
Status: Achieved	The public realm works, comprising the public footway on Bridge Street and Castle Street, and road resurfacing, completed in January 2024.

Outcome 3	Revitalisation Scheme delivered within our 3 main towns.
Measure 1	To agree the Revitalisation Scheme by 30 September 2023.
Status: Delayed but progressing	The first application for funding was successful, with a Letter of Offer received from the Department for Communities for over £400,000. A second application, for street art across the borough’s three main towns, was also successful, with a Letter of Offer received for £54,000. An additional funding application will be submitted within the 2024/25 financial year. This action is included in the Performance Improvement Plan for 2024/25.
Measure 2	To deliver the Revitalisation Scheme by 31 March 2025.
Status: On track	The programme is progressing well, and continues within the Performance Improvement Plan for 2024/25. The Shopfront Improvement Scheme was very successful, with a reallocation of budget agreed to meet demand. 89 businesses availed of the funding, which totalled approximately £305,000. Ballymena and Carrickfergus sound systems have been purchased and are due for installation by 30 September 2024. Pavement café furniture was purchased and distributed, with 13 businesses benefiting throughout the borough. Planting took place within Ballymena, Carrickfergus, and Larne. A series of animation activities also took place throughout the year, including Larne Fashion Show, a mini-food festival in Ballymena, and an interactive programme called ‘A living map’ in Carrickfergus. The smart benches are being funded through an alternative funding source.

Outcome 4	Up to 10 buildings of historical and architectural interest restored in Carrickfergus through the Townscape Heritage Initiative, with Council and Heritage Lottery grant assistance.
Measure 1	The restoration of 10 buildings of historical and architectural interest by 30 September 2023.
Status: Delayed but progressing	The tenth, and final property has experienced considerable delays in the drying of the internal plaster, due to damp weather conditions. The project has received an extension until 31 October 2024. This action continues within the Performance Improvement Plan for 2024/25.

Outcome 4

Up to 10 buildings of historical and architectural interest restored in Carrickfergus through the Townscape Heritage Initiative, with Council and Heritage Lottery grant assistance.

Measure 1

The restoration of 10 buildings of historical and architectural interest by 30 September 2023.

Status:

Delayed but progressing

The tenth, and final property has experienced considerable delays in the drying of the internal plaster, due to damp weather conditions. The project has received an extension until 31 October 2024. This action continues within the Performance Improvement Plan for 2024/25.

Outcome 5	The local community will have a better understanding of built heritage.
Measure 1	To deliver a Built Heritage Education programme by 30 September 2023.
Status: Delayed but progressing	A post project evaluation, closing event and publication on the scheme will be issued on completion of the final property. This action continues within the Performance Improvement Plan for 2024/25.

Outcome 6	Increased inward investment and local employment opportunities related directly and indirectly to heritage and tourism growth.
Measure 1	Increased floor space for retail, commercial or residential use by 30 September 2023.
Status: Delayed but progressing	This will be determined on completion of the final property. This action continues within the Performance Improvement Plan for 2024/25.

Outcome 6

Increased inward investment and local employment opportunities related directly and indirectly to heritage and tourism growth.

Measure 1

Increased floor space for retail, commercial or residential use by 30 September 2023.