Masterplan for Coleraine

The aim of the project is to identify key town centre sites to be developed and consider how transport and land use can be better integrated to ensure the town can continue to grow and prosper.

The plan will also consider how Coleraine is currently performing, assess its potential and decide how that potential can be realised in the future.

It will ensure that Coleraine continues to provide an attractive and welcoming place for shoppers, tourists, residents and businesses alike.

Alex Attwood said: “This Masterplan, when completed, will provide Coleraine town centre with the strategic direction it will require for its physical, economic and social development for the next 10 to 15 years. It will build on good work already completed and will incorporate a number of developments planned for the future.

“We are in challenging and difficult economic times. I believe that if we are to develop and grow our economy, we have to meet these challenges head on and develop clear and robust plans for the future development of our towns and cities.

“This is where the masterplan for Coleraine comes in. This Masterplan should draw support from government departments and Agencies, Coleraine Borough Council, the local community and private developers to help ensure that its objectives are achieved and Coleraine continues to grow and prosper.”

The Paul Hogarth Company, a firm of specialist planning consultants based in Belfast, has been appointed to prepare the masterplan. The company has experience of preparing similar plans for other towns in Northern Ireland, including Armagh, Ballymena, Carrickfergus, Downpatrick and Omagh.

The masterplan will cost 69,000 to produce and the costs will be met by the Department for Social Development from its urban regeneration budget.

It is expected that the masterplan will take approximately a year to complete. There will be a six week period of public consultation in the spring of 2011 when local people will be invited to view the draft proposals and make comments.

The Mayor of Coleraine, Cllr Norman Hillis, said: “The significance of this masterplan cannot be underestimated and we welcome this opportunity for Coleraine. When completed, the masterplan will act as a blueprint that will seek to identify and facilitate regeneration work in the town centre.

“We look forward to establishing a strategic vision for the town for the next 10 to 15 years and addressing the development opportunities that will ensure Coleraine’s place as a thriving regional centre in the future. We hope to work closely with our local businesses and development partners in realising the full potential of Coleraine Town Centre.”