Self-Assessment Report 2024-25 p8
Objective 2 - Place: We will maintain and improve our local areas
By:
- Enhancing our amenities, parks, and open spaces.
- Bolstering our town centres.
- Nurturing community-led tourism.
- Delivering an effective and efficient Planning Service.
Why did we do this:
- The actions set out to achieve this objective aligned with the key priorities identified through public consultation, including improvements to playparks and provision for outdoor recreation, and support to improve and revitalise the borough’s town centres.
- Community tourism can help boost local economies by encouraging visitor footfall, increasing jobs and generating revenue for local businesses.
This can increase civic pride and help to develop more sustainable and prosperous communities.
Under this objective:
- 81% of indicators were achieved or on track (17 of 21),
- 14% were delayed but progressing (3 of 21), and
- 5% were not achieved (1 of 21).
What you see:
|
Outcome: New or improved playparks. |
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|---|---|
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Measure |
Marine Gardens playpark completed by 31 August 2024. |
|
Status: Achieved |
The play park is now an exciting space for children of all ages and abilities with an impressive ship, zipline, swings and climbing provision. |
| Measure |
Larne Skate Park completed by 31 October 2024. |
|
Status: Achieved |
Designed to cater to all skills levels and abilities, the skate park opened in October 2024. It accommodates a range of wheeled sports from skateboarding and BMX to scootering and inline skating. |
| Measure |
2 additional new or refurbished playparks completed by 31 March 2025. |
|
Status: Achieved |
Oakfield playpark in Carrickfergus completed in May 2025 and Bardic Drive in Larne completed in June. A brand-new playpark was constructed in Fisherwick in Ballymena and the Knockan Road playpark in Broughshane was also partially refurbished. |
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Outcome: Greater provision for outdoor recreation. |
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|---|---|
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Measure |
Carnlough, Glynn and Portglenone MUGAs or kickabouts completed by 30 June 2024. |
|
Status: Achieved |
All 3 areas completed in summer 2024. |
| Measure |
Carrickfergus Amphitheatre 2G pitch upgraded to 3G by 31 July 2024. |
|
Status: Achieved |
The upgrade is complete. |
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Phase 1 of the Cullybackey to Galgorm Greenway completed by 30 September 2025. |
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|
Status: Delayed but progressing |
The greenway has been delayed due to necessary revisions to the proposed route, with completion dates still to be confirmed. With a phased delivery now agreed, the planning application has been submitted. Future updates on this project will be provided to the Council’s Environment and Economy Committee, and the Neighbourhoods and Communities Committee, as relevant. |
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Development of Carnfunnock Country Park completed by 31 March 2026. |
|
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Status: Delayed but progressing |
The public consultation is complete, and planning approval has been secured. The contractor has been appointed and work commenced during the summer. Completion is now expected in 2027. Future updates will be provided to the Council’s Environment and Economy Committee, and the Neighbourhoods and Communities Committee, as relevant. |
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Outcome: Delivery of the Town Centre Revitalisation Scheme. |
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|---|---|
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Measure |
Sound systems installed in Ballymena and Carrickfergus town centres by 30 June 2024. |
|
Status: Delayed but progressing |
On the agreement of property owners for cabling works, the sound systems will be installed imminently. Future updates will be provided to the Council's Environment and Economy Committee. |
| Measure |
2 street art schemes in Ballymena and Larne town centres by 31 July 2024. |
|
Status: Achieved |
A Street Art Festival in Larne and 3 murals in Ballymena have been delivered, including an abstract piece in Ballymoney Street, a giant Flamingo in Greenvale Street and an outdoor adventurer in Church Street. |
| Measure |
Feature lighting installed in Ballymena and Larne town centres by 30 September 2024. |
|
Status: Achieved |
Ballymena, Larne and Carrickfergus all received new Christmas trees for the 2024 festive season. Gobo projectors have also been installed in Pat’s Brae Ballymena and Carrickfergus Civic Centre. Larne will benefit from new festive lighting in 2025/26. |
| Measure |
Additional funding application submitted to the Department for Communities by 30 September 2024. |
|
Status: Achieved |
Funding of £105,000 has been awarded for artificial Christmas trees in our 3 main towns, £315,000 for Revitalise 2 (Shop Front Grant Scheme and marketing campaign), £135,000 for enhanced seasonal lighting in each town centre and a seasonal lighting trail in Carrickfergus, and almost £154,000 for a Pop-Up Park in Larne town centre. |
| Measure |
25 groups utilising Pop-Up Shop opportunities by 31 March 2025. |
|
Status: Achieved |
The Pop-Up Shop initiative exceeded expectations with 31 community groups and entrepreneurs taking part. Several events were also held in the properties throughout the year. |
| Measure |
15 events or activities held within Ballymena, Carrickfergus, and Larne town centres by 31 March 2025. |
|
Status: Achieved |
We delivered 50 events and activities to encourage town centre footfall and support our local businesses, including festive events, markets, craft fairs and more. |
|
Outcome: Delivery of the Carrickfergus Townscape Heritage Initiative Scheme. |
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|---|---|
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Measure |
10 buildings of historical and architectural interest restored in Carrickfergus by 31 July 2024. |
|
Status: Achieved |
10 buildings have been restored to the highest of conservation standards. The final property completed in January 2025. |
| Measure |
Increased floor space for retail, commercial or residential use in Carrickfergus by 31 July 2024. |
|
Status: Achieved |
We restored 12 residential properties and 2 derelict buildings, an increase of almost 900 square feet, nearly 2.5 times the original footage. A historic exhibition space was also created. |
| Measure |
Closing event and publication issued on the Carrickfergus Townscape Heritage Initiative by 31 July 2024. |
|
Status: Achieved |
A celebration event was held in November, during which a booklet telling the story of the initiative was shared. |
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Outcome: Locally led tourism. |
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|---|---|
|
Measure |
Neighbourhood Tourism Scheme launched by 31 October 2024. |
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Status: Achieved |
The Neighbourhood Tourism Scheme was successfully launched, and will enhance visitor experiences within our smaller settlements. |
| Measure |
3 local Neighbourhood Tourism participants by 31 March 2025. |
|
Status: Achieved |
The Old School House Gracehill, The Hub Cullybackey, Broughshane House Broughshane, The Heritage Hub Carnlough, and the Whitehead Centre are all participating in the initiative. |
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Outcome: Achievement of our statutory Planning Service targets. |
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|---|---|
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Measure |
A processing time for major planning applications within an average of 30 weeks by 31 March 2025. |
|
Status: Not achieved |
Between April 2024 and March 2025, the average (median) processing time was 45.2 weeks. For more information and analysis, please see Benchmarking section of this report. |
| Measure |
A processing time for local planning applications within an average of 15 weeks by 31 March 2025. |
|
Status: Achieved |
Between April 2024 and March 2025, the average (median) processing time was 5.8 weeks. For more information and analysis, please see Benchmarking section of this report. |
| Measure |
At least 70% of enforcement cases concluded within 39 weeks by 31 March 2025. |
|
Status: Achieved |
Between April 2024 and March 2025, 81.3% of cases were concluded within 39 weeks. For more information and analysis, please see Benchmarking section of this report. |