Carnfunnock Country Park - Levelling Up Fund

The key components of the project will include the construction of a new visitor centre which will house a retail shop, café and bathroom facilities, overlooking the coastline.

It will also see an upgrade to existing caravan park amenity block and activity centre facilities. 

A pump track to create an attraction for older children and investment in the existing adventure play to include inclusive and accessible play ensures fun for all.

Path infrastructure work and a new maze viewing platform will improve accessibility throughout the site. 

The Levelling Up Fund was designed to fund projects which would make a visible positive difference in the local area as well as improve jobs, invest in towns and high streets and the protect health and wellbeing of local communities.

The Council’s project is one of ten projects in Northern Ireland to receive a share of the £71 million Levelling-Up Fund. Over 500 applications were submitted from across the UK with 100 projects successfully being awarded funding from the second round of the Government’s £2.1bn fund.

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Carnfunnock Levelling Up Bid Application

The information below is also available as a downloadable pdf.

 Explain what you are proposing to invest in and why the proposed interventions in the bid will address those challenges and barriers

The proposed investment will reinvigorate CCP, creating a space that is accessible to all of the community, providing a fit for purpose visitor centre that show cases the outstanding coastal location of the parkland. It’s facilities that will be multi-generational – appealing to a wide range of users, linking health, sporting activity, tourism and economic activity and community engagement by offering a range of activities open to all including those from areas with ‘High level of Deprivation and Inequality’.

The proposal will reinvigorate a shared space that will improve health outcomes, tackle obesity, improved mental health post Covid and address the weak ‘access to services’ deprivation measure in the area. It will also lead to a sense of pride in the region.

Post the recent consultation in May-June 2022, the project now comprises of the following:

1. Construction of a new visitor centre of 900m2 which will house a retail shop, café, meeting rooms and bathroom facilities, overlooking the coastline.
2. Upgrade to existing amenity block of 169m2 to include a restaurant, café, shops, toilets, office, staff welfare, storage and circulation
3. Upgrade of existing snack stop visitor amenities of +24m2 to include small snack provision and new additional toilet facilities
4. Construction of a pump track to create a new leisure attraction for older children /teenagers
5. Upgrade of the existing adventure play and park enhancement to include a new maze viewing platform and additional accessible play equipment
6. Introduction of 9085m2 new public realm at CCP {sculpture trails, viewing points, pathways, signage etc}
7. Introduction of 2 electric points for camp pitches

An OBC has been prepared and a number of Options considered at Short Listing: Do Nothing: Does not meet the needs of MEABC and the local community
Do Minimum: Public Realm only - Does not improve sense of ‘place’ and provide suitable accessible visitor amenities for both residents and visitors
Reduced Scale Project: As per above to incorporate new visitor centre and tourist amenity block, upgrade to public realm and existing facilities but excluding new pump track for older children. Does not provide inclusive facilities targeted at all ages
Proposed project as per above – Strong Strategic Fit and Economic case - Preferred Way Forward and Preferred Option
Do Maximum As per above in addition to upgrade of home farm building for accommodation / workspace. Would not be affordable either in monetary or time allocations and was therefore discounted.

The project, as proposed, is considered to best meet the needs.

The Spending Objectives for the Project that this option will deliver are as follows:

1. To maximise the value of Carnfunnock Country Park which has a spectacular coastal view but failing physical assets and create a facility for the benefit and enjoyment of the citizens of the Borough and tourists visiting the region
2. To upgrade the outdated, inefficient visitor centre and tourist amenities at CCP
3. To create new outdoor leisure facilities for older children to service both the local community and enhance the tourist provision
4. To enhance public enjoyment of CCP’s natural heritage through the creation of inclusive outdoor reflective space which are accessible to all– viewing platforms, sculpture trails etc
5. Improve connectivity between Larne town centre and CCP
6. Deliver Carnfunnock Country Park as a sustainable green space for both the community and tourist
7. To play an active role in greening the Borough through exemplar environmental design

This project is at RIBA Stage 0, subject to availability of funding this project could commence on site by the end of this financial year.

How will you deliver the outputs and confirm how results are likely to flow from the interventions?

The Theory of Change document is uploaded as an Appendix.

The five components of the project are as noted below – Inputs, Outputs, Outcomes and Impacts are as follows:

INPUTS

Investment in:

• Carnfunnock Country Park visitor centre and tourist amenities
• Incremental leisure activities
• Social Infrastructure
• Public realm

SMART OBJECTIVES - OUTPUTS

1. Construction of a new visitor centre of 900m2 which will house a retail shop, café, meeting rooms and bathroom facilities, overlooking the coastline.
2. Upgrade to existing amenity block of 450m2 to 900m2 to include a reception, café, shop, toilets, office, staff welfare, storage and circulation.
3. Upgrade of existing snack stop visitor amenities of +24m2 to include small café provision and additional WC facilities
4. Construction of a pump track to create a new leisure attraction for older children /teenagers
5. Upgrade of the existing adventure play and park enhancement to include a maze viewing gallery and accessible play park equipment
6. Introduction of 9085m2 new public realm at CCP {sculpture trails, viewing points, pathways, signage etc}
7. Introduction of 2 electric points for camp pitches

OUTCOMES

1. Change in perceptions of place (residents and visitors)
2. Change in the health of residents (physical and/or mental)
3. Change in the number of visitors to cultural venues
4. Change in the number of cultural events
5. Change in the audience numbers for cultural events
6. Increased Life Satisfaction
7. Increased Life Satisfaction
8. Increased opportunities to interact with peers and improved socialisation
9. Increased connection with natural environment, place and wider society
10. Reduced anti-social behaviour

INTERMEDIATE OUTCOMES

1. Increased footfall at Carnfunnock Country Park
   Baseline: Visitor numbers 192,000 2020, reported by NISRA)
   Target Post Investment: 400,000 users pa
2. Increased visitor numbers to CCP caravan park and campsite
   Baseline: Occupancy levels 2021 58.5% reported by MEABC
   Target Post Investment: 65% occupancy rate

CULTURAL OUTCOMES:

• Enhanced life satisfaction of citizens [Based on survey of users]
• Pride of local citizens {Based on survey of users}
• Improved perception of Larne as a tourist location {Based on survey of visitors}
• Showcase of environmental credential of the site [Case study to be produced]

IMPACTS

• Enhanced civic pride in Larne
• Improved health and wellbeing
• Raised living standards
• Improved productivity and growth
• Safeguarded and new employment
• Encourage private sector investment
• Making Larne more attractive to live and work in - changes in perception of place

The Council are confident that all of the above are deliverable.

Set out how other public and private funding will be leveraged as part of the intervention

MEABC owns the site at CCP and consequently they will be providing the match funding for the project.

The café within the visitor centre is franchised to the private sector and the new visitor centre will leverage in new investment from them. With visitor numbers anticipated to grow from 192k to 400k, this will bring new opportunities for businesses located within the park and will increase employment within this.

In addition, the new outdoor leisure provision, by way of a pump park, could offer opportunities for competition, lessons, etc to be organised which would likely be led by the private sector.

Explain how your bid aligns to and supports relevant local strategies and local objectives for investment, improving infrastructure and levelling up

The project at CCP is consistent with a range of government objectives in policy areas such as:

• Providing sport, leisure and recreational opportunities promoting better health and well-being outcomes;
• Creating a sense of place and social cohesion where people want to live, work and visit, including Out of State visitors; Enhancing the profile of the Council area;
• Facilitating regeneration of a designated Tourism Opportunity Area and natural heritage asset in the area;
• Supporting young people by providing opportunities for physical, emotional and mental development through activities undertaken in newly developed facilities.
• Promotion of equality and lifetime opportunities through the creation of an attractive, shared, accessible space that can be enjoyed by all Section 75 groups.

NI Executive Strategies
Draft Northern Ireland Programme for Government Framework (2016-2021) and the Draft Outcomes Consultation December 2020 note the vision of achieving an NI where “People want to live, work and visit”. A number of priority outcomes relate:

- Our children and young people have the best start in life
- We all enjoy long, healthy, active lives
- Everyone feels safe, we all respect the law and each other
- Our economy is globally competitive, regionally balanced and carbon neutral
- People want to live, work and visit here

The New Decade, New Approach Deal (NDNA)
Economic proposals include a commitment to deliver investments in health, to promote NI’s culture, heritage and society, fostering closer ties and collaborative working across key sectors of tourism, sport and culture.
This project aligns with key departmental strategies including: -
The Regional Development Strategy NI aims include “promoting development which improves the health and wellbeing of communities”, and recognises Larne as a major development opportunity.

DfC Building Inclusive Communities builds on the NDND objectives, with themes including supporting cultural and community confidence, participation and wellbeing, and building and strengthening the resilience of towns and cities, creating places where people want to live, work and invest.
DFC Sport & Physical Activity Strategy 2022 and Sport NI Corporate Plan 2021-26 outline visions of encouraging lifelong involvement in sport and physical activity, to deliver an active healthy, resilient and inclusive society; with the contribution to individual emotional, mental and physical wellbeing recognised.
Department for the Economy – Tourism Recovery Action Plan includes a theme is to enhance the competitiveness of NI, to meet the demand for sustainable experiences, invest in visitor facilities and experiences to meet changing consumer expectations.
MEABC Strategies:
The project will support:

• Council Corporate plan 2019-2023: Notes the vision of “Mid and East Antrim will be a strong, vibrant, safe and inclusive community where people work together to improve the quality of life for all". The proposed project at CCP in Larne is wholly consistent with this vision.
• “Putting People first” the first community plan, Putting People First is the overarching document for Community Planning in MEA covering the 15-year period of 2017 – 2032 and reference importance of residents accessing the natural environment at least once a week.

Explain how the bid aligns to and supports the UK Government policy objectives

The proposal aligns with UKG policies in the following way:

Levelling Up Missions –

• Pride in Place – LUP target: “A rise across the whole UK of “pride in place”, defined as “people’s satisfaction with their town centre and engagement in local culture and community”, with a narrowing of gaps between areas with the highest and lowest levels.” The project will result in a Pride in Larne which has (with a population of 33,000, 1.7% of the NI total) had xx% of all NI job losses since 2016
• Wellbeing – LUP target “An improvement in perceived wellbeing in all parts of the UK, with a narrowed gap between areas with the highest and lowest levels”. The project will address wellbeing in Mid and Est Antrim Borough area where the Council has the lowest level of ‘happiness’ and the highest levels of ‘anxiety’ of all Councils in the NI Wellbeing 20/21 indices
• Health – LUP target; - “A narrowing in healthy life expectancy between the UK areas where it is highest and lowest, with the overall average healthy life expectancy rising by five years by 2035”. The project is targeting areas where health indicators are in the lowest 30% in NI in the immediate vicinity

Regeneration

The CCP project addresses a need and opportunity that has clear outcomes that align with DfC’s vision for place-based economic and social development, as well as the health and wellbeing of local people.

Build Back Better

Skills – The development will create opportunities to enhance and improve skills of people in the area to assist a strong recovery from the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, particularly for young people who have lost out on employment opportunities.

Net Zero Carbon

MEABC will target a BREEAM Rating of Very Good. The facility shall minimise its carbon footprint through more efficient energy usage and sustainable elements included in the building and surrounding landscape to include:

• Deliver additional environmental benefits in the performance of the contract including working towards net zero greenhouse gas emissions.
• Contract specifications that support environmental protection and improvement.
• Supply chains that minimise carbon footprint and emissions.
• Companies employ low or zero-carbon practices and/or materials.
• Assessing and minimising embodied carbon.
• Reuse of waste heat to heat water in the building(s)
• Implementation of carbon project in partnership with the Woodland trust and DAERA

Waste Framework Directive

MEABC will support the UK Government Waste Framework Directive by through the Waste Management Plan for NI by ensuring zero landfill from the construction stage of the project by reusing excavated material on the site for fill. During operations waste shall be pre-sorted prior to recycling.

Alignment and support for existing investments

Where applicable explain how the bid complements or aligns to and supports existing and/or planned investments in the same locality

The 2021 – 2031 Larne Investment Plan recognises the planned capital investments by a range of statutory organisations. This includes:

• NI Water plans to upgrade the Wastewater Treatment Works (WwTW) as it is currently operating above design capacity. This in turn, will help support additional development in Larne Town.
• The Education Authority is currently completing a Business Case for a major capital development project for Roddensvale Special School
• NIHE will action the demolition of the last remaining tower block (Latharna Tower Block) at Riverdale. It also has an agreement with Radius Housing to develop 25 units housing units for older people on the site of the former Gardenmore House Tower Block and a new of the town centre (84 Curran Road)

The Investment Plan seeks to focus on themes and areas in the town centre which have been identified via the review and public engagement processes. The five themes are;

• Commercial and Business
• Town Centre Living
• Green and Public Spaces
• Connections and Access
• Key Sites and Opportunity Sites

The seven projects include;

1. Riverdale - Pop up park including green space, (seating, planting, events and play space) flexible work units, parking and programming for events to diversify and create activity in the town centre on the soon to be vacant site. Pre cursor to residential led mixed use masterplan.

2. Refurbishment of Targeted Vacancy and Dereliction - Targeted building refurbishment to remove blight and reoccupy vacant buildings e.g. apartments. Take advantage of regeneration opportunities which create a more attractive town centre environment, encourage town centre living, and protect and enhance the built heritage of the town centre.

3. Streetscape Improvements - High quality streetscape to Town Centre streets, including Dunluce Street, Point Street and Lower Cross Street, encouraging footfall and creating a more attractive town centre environment.

4. Town Centre Animation - Development of a varied programme of high quality events to take place in and around the town centre, focusing on promoting inclusivity and creating new opportunities for life and activity. A series of events will ensure public realm areas are brought to life and make sure the town centre becomes a destination.

5. Underpass Environmental Improvements - Environmental improvements and the introduction of uses to create a functional and safe space beneath the Harbour Highway will generate life, activity and encourage people into the town centre. A pedestrian crossing, on Bridge Street, linking the spaces underneath the Harbour Highway will encourage permeability and along with animation, such as art, lighting and events, will help to transform the space.

6. Improved River Path Connections - An improved connection along the river to encourage movement and provide stronger connections between the town centre and surrounding areas, including the football stadium. Clearing the overgrown vegetation and improvement of wildlife habitat will turn the river into a focus along the connecting route, contributing to its value as a public asset.

7. Lagoon - Pop up waterfront including public space, (seating, decking, planting) and activation through water based activities. Opportunity for a programme of events to encourage use and make people aware of the lagoon and its biodiversity. Pre cursor to residential led mixed use masterplan.

There are also plans to build a hotel on Dunluce Street.

Each of these projects will compliment the regeneration of CCP and will all contribute to making Larne a town that people want to live, work and visit.

Confirm which Levelling Up White Paper Missions your project contributes to

Select Levelling Up White Paper Missions (p.120-21)

Health
Wellbeing
Pride in Place

Write a short sentence to demonstrate how your bid contributes to the Mission(s)

The Project contributes to the Following Levelling Up White Paper Missions:

• Pride in Place – LUP target: “A rise across the whole UK of “pride in place”, defined as “people’s satisfaction with their town centre and engagement in local culture and community”, with a narrowing of gaps between areas with the highest and lowest levels.” The project will result in a Pride in Larne which has (with a population of 33,000, 1.7% of the NI total) had xx% of all NI job losses since 2016
• Wellbeing – LUP target “An improvement in perceived wellbeing in all parts of the UK, with a narrowed gap between areas with the highest and lowest levels”. The project will address wellbeing in Mid and Est Antrim Borough area where the Council has the lowest level of ‘happiness’ and the highest levels of ‘anxiety’ of all Councils in the NI Wellbeing 20/21 indices
• Health – LUP target; - “A narrowing in healthy life expectancy between the UK areas where it is highest and lowest, with the overall average healthy life expectancy rising by five years by 2035”. The project is targeting areas where health indicators are in the lowest 30% in NI in the immediate vicinity.

Provide up to date evidence to demonstrate the scale and significance of local problems and issues

Scale of issues include:

CCP is located in Larne which has a total population of 32,674 residents (June 2020, NISRA statistics) and experienced a growth in population of 10% from 2010 to 2020. CCP is located in the Carncastle Ward which ranks within the top 40% most deprived for access to services and within the top 15% most deprived for living conditions, in particular the outdoor physical environment.

Larne suffers from deprivation at multiple levels; within the vicinity of CCP, four SOA’s (Super Output Area) are in the top 30% most deprived areas.

Of the 7 SOAs in the vicinity four scored poorly in term of employment and health deprivation and 3 scored poorly in terms of education skills/training, living environment and crime and disorder.

Socio Economic profile is at Appendix 5, which notes:

• MEABC accounts for 7.4% of the NI population and 5.6% of the NI GVA
• Only 33% of respondents thought that ‘enough was being done to create a community where division does not restrict the life opportunities of individuals and where all areas are open and accessible to everyone’.
• MEABC has a population which is Predominantly Protestant/Other Christian (72.9%), 19.3% Catholic and 7.8% Other/no religion

The NI Health and Wellbeing indices (20/21) also shows the challenges within MEABC:

• MEABC performs poorly in terms of self-efficacy, being the fourth lowest Council:
• MEABC ranks the lowest by ‘Happiness’
• Those living in MEABC reported higher levels of anxiety than other Councils

The following would also support the need for the Investment and Levelling Up:

• Existing visitor facilities and amenities at CCP are dated, unsightly, poor layout and accessibility, and not energy efficient.
• Deprivation in the Larne Coast Road DEA with high business vacancies in the town centre of 21% vacant units. 40% of the town centres main streets are below the NI average vacancy rate and 60% below the average UK vacancy rate. Based on a population estimate in 2017 of 17,310, 35% of the adult population were economically inactive and 4.8% were unemployed. 22.7% of had a long-term health problem or disability that limited their day-to-day activities and 43.4% had either no or low levels of qualifications.
• Lack of Cross community facilities at time of rising community tensions post EU EXIT and protocol protests at the port of Larne.
• There is a lack of civic pride among the residents of Larne, where the disputes have damaged the sense of place and the region has yet to recover from the job losses of the last five years.
• The inaccessibility of public realm throughout the site and inappropriate tourist amenities makes it increasingly difficult to attract further private sector investment on the site.

Demonstrate the quality assurance of data analysis and evidence for explaining the scale and significance of local problems and issues

Stakeholder/community engagement

• Stakeholder engagement by MEABC for Masterplan for CCP 2017 (attached as Appendix 2)
• Proposed CCP development has been subject to stakeholder/community consultation processes in 2018 and again in 2022 including stakeholders and the community (communities, civic society, private sector and local businesses), with broad positive endorsement of the proposal in both 2018 and 2022 consultations.
• In 2018 a 12-week consultation process was undertaken via online surveys, feedback forms at the CCP visitor centre as well as a public drop-in events and stakeholder meetings were held, between MEA officers and Acceptable Enterprises Larne & Department for Infrastructure.
• In May / June 2022, a further round of public engagement was undertaken over a 4-week consultation period, comprising 425 online survey responses, an elected member workshop (7 attendees), and hard copy responses from the visitor centre. This feedback reinforced the views of the earlier consultation period, with a number of key priorities remaining at the forefront, including the need for more events/activities; including adventure park / improved teen provision; upgrading the visitor centre and rejuvenating facilities such as the walled garden, courtyard and maze should remain a priority.

Need for Regeneration and Cultural space

• Letters of Support (Elected representatives, MLA, MPs, )
• MEABC Corporate Plan (Sustainable Jobs and Tourism and Our Environment sections)
• MEABC Community Plan (page 11)
• Review of dated facilities at CCP – based on discussions with MEABC staff.

Population, GVA, Levels of Deprivation and Inequality

• ONS - Ageing Analyst Team, - June 2020.
• Regional gross domestic product: local authorities - Office for National Statistics (ons.gov.uk)
• NISRA Quarterly Labour Force Survey.(May 22)
• Quarterly Labour Force Survey Tables – May 2022
• NISRA Redundancies by Local Government Tables (2020).
• NISRA Annual Survey of Hours & Earnings (ASHE) (2022)
• MEABC Corporate Plan (2021)
• MEABC Community Plan (2018)
• The Northern Ireland Multiple Deprivation Measures (NIMDM) 2017
• Invest NI FDI data (from Invest NI 2018)
• MEABC Vacancy level in Larne district - Audit June 2022
• Springboard Footfall statistics for Larne Town Centre 2019
• Autism Award to MEABC 2022

Health Inequalities and impact of sport and exercise

Wellbeing in Northern Ireland, 2020 21 (executiveoffice-ni.gov.uk)

• Department of Health/Sport NI data on obesity in NI (2021 Strategies)
• NI Mental Health ambassador – data on mental health in NI (2020)
• Tackling Obesity UK Government strategy
• Unicef and NICCY research on impact of Covid

Lack of Community Provision and Cohesion

• Good Relations Audit 2015
• PSNI anti-social-behaviour-statistics June 21

Underutilisation of CCP

• MEABC data on visitors to CCP (192k per NISRA)
• NISRA Visitors Attraction survey 2020 (visitors to other parks and gardens)
• NISRA NI Local Government District Tourism Statistics 2013-2019 (visitors to People’s Park – based on MEABC counters)

Demonstrate that the data and evidence supplied is appropriate to the area of influence of the interventions

Stakeholder/community engagement

- The Stakeholder/community consultation process was focused solely on Carnfunnock Community Park development proposals.

Levels of Deprivation and Inequality

- General NI data on deprivation
- Information on deprivation focused on surrounding wards to Carnfunnock Country Park.

Health Inequalities and impact of sport

- General NI data on health including mental health and obesity, and impact of sport

Lack of Community Provision
- DfC’s ‘A New Sport and Physical Activity Strategy for Northern Ireland’ highlights the importance for sport and recreation in terms of health, community cohesion, skills, culture and local pride. It notes that more than 2,000 deaths per annum can be attributed to physical inactivity and highlights concerns about increasing obesity in Northern Ireland.

Underperforming CCP

- Visitor data on CCP shows that visitors numbers are reducing due to the deteriorating state of disrepair of the existing assets in the parkland.
- They also show the potential numbers that could be achieved should these issues be addressed.(Appendix .. for visitor numbers at neighbouring Country Parks) https://www.NISRA website - Visitor Attraction Survey Publications

 Provide analysis and evidence to demonstrate how the proposal will address existing or anticipated future problems

The Theory of Change is included in Appendix 3.
There are four key areas being proposed:

The problem: Access to Greenways, Health, pathway between town, and new social infrastructure, and Lack of Civic Pride:

Introduction of 9085m2 new public realm at Carnfunnock Country Park {footpaths, paving, viewing platforms, lighting etc}, with a high quality footpath and cycle way connecting the approved public realm

Outputs:

• Public Realm created
• Improved access to green and blue space at CCP
• Soft landscaping & new trees planted
• Town centre, community and parkland connections

Outcomes:

• Change in footfall – CCP and Town
• Change in perceptions of place (residents and visitors)
• Change in the health of residents (physical and/or mental)
• Increase in economic benefits
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Impact:

• Enhanced civic pride in Larne
• Improved health and wellbeing
• Making Larne more attractive to live and work in.
• Brownfield site regeneration

The Problem: Underutilisation of green space and leisure space in Larne

Introduction of a new 900m2 visitor centre in CCP

Outputs:

• Public facilities created
• Health and well-being space created
• Community space created
• Cultural spaces created
• Volunteering opportunities supported

Outcomes:

• Change in footfall
• Change in perceptions of place (residents and visitors)
• Change in the health of residents (mental)
• Change in the number of visitors to cultural venues
• Change in the number of cultural events
• Change in the audience numbers for cultural events
• Increase in economic benefits

Impact:

• Enhanced civic pride in Larne
• Improved health and wellbeing
• Raised living standards
• Boosting community cohesion
• Making Larne more attractive to live and work in.
• Encourage private sector investment
• Brownfield site regeneration

The Problem: Lack of Inclusive Outdoor Recreational space at Larne

Introduction of a new outdoor leisure facility in the form of a Pump Park which will be aimed at older children / teenagers and provide another amenity to attract visitors to the region

Outputs:

• Public Realm enhanced
• Health and well-being space created
• Community space created
• Heritage site reimagined through new leisure activity created (pump park)
• Volunteering opportunities supported (incl for those with Autism etc)

Outcomes:

• Change in footfall
• Change in perceptions of place (residents and visitors)
• Change in the health of residents (mental)
• Increase in economic benefits

Impact:

• Enhanced civic pride in Larne
• Improved health and wellbeing
• Boosting community cohesion
• Making Larne more attractive to live and work in.
• Encourage private sector investment
• Brownfield site regeneration
• Key Initiative to support Autism

The Problem: Deprivation in Larne, access to services and living environment

Improved accessibility for all visitors to CCP and upgrade to all existing facilities which are dated and inaccessible, to include the snack stop visitor amenities of +24m2 and enhancements to the adventure play park

Outputs:

• Improved access to green and blue space at CCP
• Town centre, community and parkland connections

Outcomes:

• Change in footfall – CCP and Town
• Change in the health of residents (physical and/or mental)
• Increase in economic benefits

Impact:

• Improved health and wellbeing

The proposal will address NI Structural Problems as follows:

• Regeneration of CCP site and creation of new leisure space
• Promoting link between healthy lifestyles/sporting activity and health
• Create a sense of place in Larne with enhanced public realm, new visitor centre and amenity block, upgrade to existing assets, new leisure activity and encouraging linkage between exercise, culture and well-being
• Celebrating the rich heritage of the site.
• Assist MEABC in delivering Corporate and Community Plan; create a sense of civic pride, in particular in Larne town centre and CCP’s surrounding wards
• Alleviating Cross Community tensions post EU EXIT through new community focused events space

INTERMEDIATE OUTCOMES

1. Increased footfall at Carnfunnock Country Park
   Baseline: Visitor numbers 192,000 2020, reported by NISRA)
   Target Post Investment: 400,000 users pa
2. Increased visitor numbers to CCP caravan park and campsite
   Baseline: Occupancy levels 2021 58.5% reported by MEABC
   Target Post Investment: 65% occupancy rate

CULTURAL OUTCOMES:

1. Enhanced life satisfaction of citizens [Based on survey of users]
2. Pride of local citizens {Based on survey of users}
3. Improved perception of Larne as a tourist location {Based on survey of visitors}
4. More cohesive, strategic approach [Based on survey of Town Centre tenants]
5. Showcase of environmental credential of the site [Case study to be produced]

 Describe the robustness of the analysis and evidence supplied such as the forecasting assumptions, methodology and model outputs

Development of Model and Accuracy

In preparing the model for this proposal MEABC have drawn on the following key resources; MEABC – team as per below:

Director of Communities
Head of Planning
Head of Capital Works
Capital Works Manager
Project Development Officer
Regeneration Manager
Principle Parks Officer
Head of Digital Innovation and Procurement
Procurement Officer
Procurement Officer
Head of Finance
Senior Legal

• Feedback from DfC, Stakeholder engagement and Community Plan consultations. This Regeneration plan has been identified and in planning from 2017 when the masterplan was commissioned.
• As part of the MEABC CCP vision, SMART district workshops with both internal project stakeholders but also local Council members and also wider interest groups. As a result of this, a SMART Consultant team collated a set of SMART deliverables which have been incorporated as part of the CCP LUF Bid.
• Background research has been provided by Park-Hood Chartered Landscape Architects to inform the initial need for the proposal including assessment of need. This has included the Surveys and Public Consultations conducted in May and June 2022 (and a follow on from Public Consultations and Surveys in 2016/17).

The following is relevant:

Appendix 5: Initial consultations for CCP Masterplan & Follow Up Consultations
Appendix 6: Letters of Support

An OBC has been prepared as part of the LUF bid in July 2022. The Strategic Case established the Need. In terms of the Options, the assumptions were:

Assumptions

1. Long list of options defined and short-listed options selected
2. Base case on visitors to parks in Larne and MEABC
3. Expectation of visitor numbers – benchmarking and consultations with key users
4. Detailed operations model for the investment
5. Assumptions tested with operational management and Council Leadership team

Methodology
OBC prepared using Better Business Case guidance.

Outputs
Monetary and non-monetary costs/benefits established

Sensitivity Analysis
To understand risks associated with the proposal the following sensitivities have been applied:

Reduction in visitors
Reduction in attributable health and wellbeing benefits

Council consider that it has been prudent in its assumptions.

Explain how the economic costs of the bid have been calculated, including the whole life costs

Project Timings: The financial projections for each option including the Preferred Option have been forecast over a period of 30 years. The projections commence in the current financial year (2022/23) and extend to 2051/52.

The “Do Something” options assume that the Works duration will last to Dec 2024.

Price Base Date and Inflation: All resource and capital costs are stated in real terms assuming Q2 2022 prices for the purposes of the NPC calculations. No general inflation has been assumed within the forecasts and so all projections are discounted from their real values at a discount rate of 3.5% as required by NIGEAE for appraisal periods of 30 years or under.

Cost risks and uncertainty have been considered and adequately accounted for through the Optimism Bias.

The potential for Optimism Bias in the capital expenditure estimates has been incorporated into the analysis, using the Department of Finance OB calculator for Building Projects. This weighs the impact of unmitigated OB for a range of factors, covering procurement, project complexity, client-specific issues and external and environmental factors (including political and macroeconomic), to deliver an overall unmitigated OB in terms of cost and duration. For the civil works, the work is assumed to be standard. On this basis, the mitigated OB with respect to capital expenditure is 18% and with respect to duration is 4%.

Capital costs: Capital costs have been developed by the MEABC Capital Team.

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