Town Centre Health Check publication - p9
8.0 Whitehead Study Area
8.1 Maps 36-38 in Appendix A illustrate the land use surveys which were carried out by the Plan team in June 2024.
They show the ground, first and second floor uses for all units within the study area. A new town centre boundary will be designated for Whitehead in the Local Policies Plan.
Figure H below shows the number of units present for the various town centre uses in Whitehead in June 2024 and provides a comparison with the Northern Ireland average.
Figure H Whitehead Type 4 Character Area boundary Composition
|
Whitehead |
Units # 2024 |
Units % 2024 |
NI % average |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Convenience |
2 |
9.52 |
7.30% |
|
Comparison |
6 |
28.57 |
30.07% |
|
Retail Services |
6 |
28.57 |
13.86% |
|
Leisure Services |
3 |
14.29 |
19.81% |
|
Finance & Business |
1 |
4.76 |
8.84% |
|
Vacant |
3 |
14.29 |
20.12% |
|
TOTAL |
21 |
100.00% |
100.00% |
Source: Mid & East Antrim Borough Council & Experian, 2024
Health Check Assessment for Whitehead Study Area
Description
8.2 Whitehead is in the south-eastern corner of Mid & East Antrim Borough Council area, lying to the north-west of Carrickfergus.
At the time of the 2021 census, Whitehead had a population of 3537, making it joint largest in population size of the 5 small towns designated in the Borough along with Ahoghill.
There is a bus and railway station in Whitehead in a very central location accessed via Chester Avenue.
Several Trains stop in whitehead on the Larne-Belfast line daily and several buses stop in Whitehead going to and from other towns and villages nearby.
Overall Composition
8.3 Whitehead has a total of 21 retail units within the study area at the time of the MEA council survey.
The headline figures are that convenience and comparison percentages are healthy compared with Northern Ireland averages.
In fact, Whitehead has the highest percentage of comparison shops of the 5 small towns designated in the Borough.
Convenience & Comparison
8.4 At the time of the MEA Council survey, there were 2 convenience units within the study area, accounting for 9.52% of the total units.
Although in close proximity there are 2 more convenience units.
This is above the NI average of 7.30%.
The 6 comparison goods units account for 28.57% of the total units which is significantly higher than the other 4 small towns in the Borough and almost at the Northern Ireland Average of 30.07%.
There are 4 more comparison units in the vicinity of the study area too which is a very healthy sign in this small town.
The comparison stores are a mix of uses including chemists, hardware, gifts, surf gear and art.
Services
8.5 When considering services, the Whitehead study area has a strong offering of retail services (28.57%), over double the NI average of 13.86%, and while there is only 1 financial & business type service in the study area it has 14.29% leisure services, which is lower the NI average of 19.81% however there are several other leisure uses in very close proximity to this defined study area.
Vacancies
8.6 At the time of the MEA Council survey, Whitehead had only 3 vacant units within the study area, resulting in a proportion of 14.29%.
This is markedly lower than the Northern Ireland average of 20.18%.
When taking account of other units in the vicinity the percentage drops to 11.11% which is the lowest vacancy rate in all towns and small towns in the borough.
As Whitehead has only recently been designated a small town, and therefore not previously monitored in terms of town centre health check criteria, it is not possible to determine if the vacancy rate is increasing or decreasing until a further review is completed in 2 years’ time.
Retailer Representation
8.7 Whitehead Study Area has 1 national multiple present, namely Gordons chemist.
Average Prime Rents
8.8 Recent Council analysis of commercial centre property rents online, did not reveal any retail property currently to let within the Whitehead Study Area, however a restaurant within the settlement limits of the small town is currently on the market £2300 per month for a 2,400 sq. ft area which equates to commercial letting of £11.50 per square foot (propertypal.com and propertynews.com)
Accessibility
8.9 Buses stop several times daily at the bus and train station in whitehead on route to and from surrounding towns and villages.
There is parking for 45 vehicles at the park and ride facilities adjacent to the train station and the train stops 32 times Monday to Friday in each direction from Larne to Belfast, 31 times on a Saturday and 14 times on a Sunday.
There are 4 council run carparks in Whitehead offering a total of 195 spaces along with 17 spaces at the community centre carpark on Balmoral Avenue.
Footfall
8.10 There are no council run footfall counters in Whitehead presently.
Physical Structure and Constraints
8.11 The Flood Map (Map 39 Appendix A) shows the potential for a small amount of surface water flooding within the study area.
There are a number of listed buildings within and surrounding the study area in Whitehead.
There are 3 industrial heritage assets located within the study area.
Whitehead Conservation area completely encapsulates the study area (map 40 Appendix A).
These features may impact upon development.
Perception of Crime and Safety
8.12 The ‘Town Centre Database’, published by the Department of Communities does not report crime statistics for Whitehead.
Environmental Quality
8.13 A environmental quality project in Whitehead enhanced the coastal park/promenade, an area crucial for the connectivity it offers visitors/locals between Whitehead’s main coastal attractions and the commercial heart of the town.
It was envisaged that the scheme would be the first stage in a longer-term plan to improve facilities at the coastal park/promenade.
The commercial heart of the town is pleasant in terms of environmental quality and footpaths are a good standard. Occasional planters and seats along Kings Road are a welcoming feature.