19 June 2006
COLERAINE TOWN CENTRE SCHEMES SHORTLISTED
The regeneration of Coleraine town centre has taken another step forward.
Announcing that his Department had shortlisted six proposals to regenerate two key town-centre sites, Social Development Minister David Hanson said: "At the start of November 2005, I invited developers to submit plans to regenerate the Abbey Street and Mall car parks in the centre of Coleraine. My aim is to support developments which will improve the range and type of shops in the town centre, to develop more of an evening economy, encourage town centre living and resolve the town's long standing parking problems.
"By the closing date in February, 13 separate development proposals had been received and now the Department for Social Development, in conjunction with the Roads Service and Planning Service, has shortlisted these 13 down to six which will be subjected to further detailed analysis in the coming months.
"The proposals will be assessed against the set of regeneration objectives for Coleraine that I announced when I visited the town in September 2005. These include the aims of preserving the unique character of the town, meeting the modern demands of retailers and customers and resolving the shortage of parking spaces in the town centre.
"Because there are many complex issues to be considered, we do not expect the assessment process to be completed until the Autumn of this year. The potential of Coleraine is significant and there is an opportunity to deliver real regeneration and influence the way the town develops over the next 25 years. It is therefore important that we consider all the options carefully and deliver the best possible outcome for Coleraine town centre."
NOTES TO EDITORS:
1. The Department for Social Development issued a development brief for the Abbey Street and Mall car park sites on 1 November 2005. Developers were invited to submit proposals for either site individually or for both sites jointly. The closing date for the submission of proposals was 3 February 2006.
2. The Abbey Street car park is a 0.57ha (1.4 acre) site situated to the south of The Diamond in Coleraine town centre and close to the Diamond Shopping Centre and the prime retail area of Church Street. The car park currently provides 185 short stay car parking spaces for visitors to the town centre and is accessed via Abbey Street.
3. The Mall Car Park is a 0.61ha (1.5 acres) site situated to the north of The Diamond in Coleraine town centre and is linked to The Diamond through the Diamond Arcade and to Church Street along Bell House Lane and Park Street. The car park currently provides 218 short stay car parking spaces for visitors to the town centre.
4. Media enquiries only to the DSD Information Office on 028 9082 9078
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