Building Successful Communities Tigers Bay and Mountcollyer Area Analysis - AUGUST 2014
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Building Successful Communities
Tigers Bay and Mountcollyer
Area Analysis
AUGUST 2014
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Table of Contents
1.0 Introduction......................................................................................................................... 4
2.0 Strategic Context of Building Successful Communities ...................................................... 6
2.1 DSD Belfast Regeneration Office (BRO) ............................................................... 6
2.2 The North Belfast Housing Strategy - Tackling Housing Need (NIHE) 2000 ........ 6
2.3 The Strategic Regeneration Framework for North Belfast - North Belfast
Partnership / DSD (2008)........................................................................................ 7
2.4 Masterplan for Duncairn Gardens as a Shared Space.............................................. 8
2.5 The Shore Road/ York Road Draft Masterplan - DSD, RPS, J Rowland (2009) .. 10
2.6 Inner North Belfast Neighbourhood Renewal Partnership Action Plan ................ 10
2.7 Belfast Metropolitan Area Plan 2015 .................................................................... 12
3.0 Proposed Pilot Area Boundary........................................................................................... 15
4.0 Area Summary ................................................................................................................... 16
4.1 Area Description .................................................................................................... 16
4.2 Properties ............................................................................................................... 24
4.3 Social Housing Stock............................................................................................. 25
4.4 Housing Need ........................................................................................................ 25
4.5 Current and Ongoing Housing Development ........................................................ 26
4.6 Undeveloped Land ................................................................................................. 27
5.0 Demography...................................................................................................................... 28
5.1 Area Overview ....................................................................................................... 28
5.2 Economic Activity ................................................................................................. 29
5.3 Deprivation ............................................................................................................ 30
5.4 Neighbourhood Renewal Area .............................................................................. 31
5.5 Religious Breakdown ............................................................................................ 31
5.6 Crime ..................................................................................................................... 32
6.0 Current Initiatives ............................................................................................................. 34
6.1 Neighbourhood Renewal ....................................................................................... 34
6.2 Belfast City Council (BCC)................................................................................... 39
6.3 Duncairn Community Garden ............................................................................... 44
6.4 Grove Development Study .................................................................................... 44
6.5 Peace Walls Project ............................................................................................... 47
6.6 PSNI: Local policing priorities for York Road ..................................................... 47
6.7 North Belfast Social Enterprise Incubation Hub (SEIH)....................................... 50
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6.8 Other Funding ........................................................................................................ 51
7.0 Services in the Area .......................................................................................................... 52
7.1 Transport ................................................................................................................ 52
7.2 Schools................................................................................................................... 52
7.3 Nurture Units ......................................................................................................... 57
7.4 Health Facilities ..................................................................................................... 57
7.5 Churches ................................................................................................................ 59
7.6 Community Groups ............................................................................................... 59
7.7 Community Facilities ............................................................................................ 60
8.0 Summary of Consultee Views ........................................................................................... 61
9.0 Forum Membership............................................................................................................ 67
Annex 1 - Maps ........................................................................................................................ 68
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1.0 Introduction
1.1 The Housing Strategy for Northern Ireland set out the Minister for Social
Development’s vision for housing over the period 2012-2017. This vision is
focused on ensuring that everyone has the opportunity to access good quality
housing at a reasonable cost. It recognises the significant role housing can
play in helping support and sustain economic recovery, create employment and
help regenerate some of our most deprived and neglected communities.
1.2 The Building Successful Communities Programme, launched by Minister
Nelson McCausland on 28 October 2013, represents Ministers commitment to
test a housing led regeneration approach in areas which are suffering from a
range of issues associated with blight, dereliction and social housing market
failure.
1.3 Six pilot areas were selected to pilot this approach. Three are in West Belfast,
two in North Belfast and one in Ballymena. Pilot areas have been selected as
follows:-
• Lower Shankill and Brown Square, Belfast
• Lenadoon and Glencolin, Belfast
• Lower Falls, Belfast
• Lower Oldpark and Hillview, Belfast
• Tiger’s Bay and Mountcollyer, Belfast
• Doury Road, Ballymena
1.4 The areas selected were selected on the basis that they were first and foremost
areas of deprivation. All are either Neighbourhood Renewal Areas or Areas at
Risk. They also have recognised indicators that justify intervention. Problems
such as stigma, blight, void stock, anti social behaviour, low or medium
projected housing need and vacant government land that can be developed to
bring new housing back into the area.
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1.5 Regeneration Forums are now being established in each area to take forward
this work.
1.6 Forums will consult and engage with local communities and statutory bodies to
identify the housing and regeneration needs of each area and develop plans to
address those issues. It is envisaged that these plans will include proposals for
refurbishment of current housing and new social and affordable housing in
areas; together with infrastructure improvements and apprenticeship, training
and social economy enterprises to improve access to employment within areas.
The plans will however be guided by the particular needs of each area and be
unique to each area.
1.7 Objectives of the Building Successful Communities Programme are to:
• Improve current housing and infrastructure;
• Deliver new social and affordable homes;
• Deliver environmental upgrading works;
• Improve access to amenities; and
• Improve access to economic and social activity.
1.8 The work undertaken in each pilot area will be subject to review and evaluation
and used to inform the development of future policy around social and
affordable housing delivery and regeneration.
1.9 The purpose of this report is to provide context and facilitate the forum in
developing its action plan.
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2.0 Strategic Context of Building Successful Communities
2.1 DSD Belfast Regeneration Office (BRO)
BRO directs and co-ordinates the implementation of a regeneration strategy
aimed at the most deprived areas in and around Belfast. Four priority areas
where resources are concentrated are: Encouraging investment and physical
regeneration; Raising educational achievement; Improving access to
employment, and Creating safe, healthy communities.
The primary source of funding for deprived areas in Belfast comes from
Government’s Neighbourhood Renewal Fund which aims to tackle the 10%
most deprived areas of Northern Ireland.
This Fund is also complemented by:
• Urban Development Grants to encourage private sector property
development in parts of the city that have appeared unattractive to
investment;
• Comprehensive Development Schemes to promote the comprehensive
regeneration of selected sites; and
• Environmental Improvement Schemes which focus on improving the
appearance of Belfast City Centre and on regeneration of the area.
2.2 The North Belfast Housing Strategy - Tackling Housing Need (NIHE) 2000
This £133 million package of housing proposals was targeted towards meeting
housing need in North Belfast – defined as an acute shortage of social housing
on the one hand and poor housing conditions on the other. As well as tackling
housing need, the seven-year Strategy aimed to deliver better health,
educational and employment opportunities. The Strategy had five main
elements: increasing housing supply; making better use of the existing stock;
sustaining and improving private sector housing areas; improving the
Executive’s housing stock; promoting regeneration and social inclusion through
partnerships. It recognised both Catholic need, which it described as primarily
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demographically driven and reflected in the waiting list and a requirement for
additional housing provision, and Protestant need, which it defined as primarily
stock driven and reflected in poor housing conditions and a requirement for
urban renewal. In terms of housing conditions – the strategy demonstrated that
Protestant households were 30% more likely to live in unfit houses, 36% more
likely to live without basic amenities and have repair costs some 51% above
their Catholic counterparts. It was envisaged as part of this strategy that these
housing condition differentials would be removed. An interim review of the
2000 to 2007 Strategy resulted in the completion of a new document ‘North
Belfast Housing Strategy - Priorities 2008 to 2012, which continued delivery of
the original strategy.
The NIHE has advised that work continues on the key themes of the strategy
through the North Belfast Area Office. There have not been annual reports on
performance for at least 2 years. However, they have advised that they can
provide an update on work from the Strategy relative to Tigers Bay and
Mountcollyer at future meetings if that is required.
2.3 The Strategic Regeneration Framework for North Belfast - North Belfast
Partnership / DSD (2008)
This framework has four strategic thrusts – leadership and community
cohesion; land use and connectivity; neighbourhood vitality and education and
skills and enterprise. The strategy highlights issues facing North Belfast, and
sets out that a partnership-led approach can lead to greater leverage of
resources, economies of scale, attainment of synergy, avoiding duplication,
promoting specialisation and enabling transformational. Additionally, the
strategy puts value on geographical mapping of public services and assets in
order to ensure the coordination and improvement of services, while a
collective approach to managing public sector assets could lever in resources
from the private sector.
The Framework forms the core business of North Belfast Partnership (NBP)
and identified opportunities mainly with the neighbourhood renewal themes as
their backbone. Community development and strengthening of infrastructure is
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ongoing and NBP provides support to Neighbourhood Renewal Partnerships
and other groups to encourage regeneration both socially and physically as well
as providing programmes in relation to education, employability and health.
Some examples of identified opportunities within the Strategic Regeneration
Framework that have been progressed to a certain extent are the Crumlin Road
Courthouse, North Foreshore, Clifton Street Gateway, new social housing,
increased health initiatives and upskilling residents hence increasing
employability.
BRO along with NBP has facilitated the creation of a North Belfast Economic
Forum which has a Terms of Reference and is currently trying to seek financial
support for a conference and promotional document.
Link to full plan: http://www.dsdni.gov.uk/print/north-belfast-strategic-
regeneration-framework.pdf
2.4 Masterplan for Duncairn Gardens as a Shared Space
Cunnane, Stratton, Reynolds (2008)
The current physical environment of Duncairn Gardens is very much shaped by
the more recent history of the area and in particular the last third of a century
and “the troubles” in particular. Significant elements of this more recent history
include the existence of the ‘peace wall’; the shuttering of premises; the
incidence of vacant premises; the development of a large block of development
comprising Teletech; several business parks and industrial complexes that act
as barriers between the two communities – one in the New Lodge and the other
in Tigers Bay.
The draft masterplan proposed the following actions:
Newbuild
Mixed-use Development at Adam St/Duncairn Gardens
New residential Adjoining Dowds redundant unit, Duncairn Gardens
New residential at 122 & 126 Duncairn Gardens
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Refurbishment
Museum, arts centre & cultural centre at Former Presbyterian Church Duncairn
Gardens
Coffee shop, tourist stop-off, training and education centre & community
meeting rooms at former Macrory Church Hall Duncairn Gardens
Niche retail or restaurant at 210 Duncairn Gardens (corner of Hallidays Rd)
Landscape / Environmental Enhancement
Improve Pedestrian Street Lighting Duncairn Gardens
Replacement Tree Planting Duncairn Gardens
Reduction of Security Walls Duncairn Gardens
Adam Street Environmental Enhancement
Movement
Pedestrian Crossings One to the north and one to the south of Duncairn
Gardens
Re-use
Re-use as residential 183, 185, 191 & 195 Duncairn Gardens
Re-use as retail 188-190 Duncairn Gardens
Implementation
In relation to the Adam Street site, an economic appraisal including plans has
been commissioned through the Duncairn Community Partnership with
Groundwork NI as the lead partner and funded by BRO. The scope of the work
also includes the development of the site on the other side of the road (60-86
Duncairn Gardens) which is currently in private ownership.
In relation to the peace walls, Duncairn Community Partnership is receiving
funding (with Groundwork NI as the lead partner) from CRC/IFI as part of the
peace walls programme which is looking at the walls along Duncairn Gardens
(see 6.5).
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2.5 The Shore Road/ York Road Draft Masterplan - DSD, RPS, J Rowland
(2009)
This Masterplan noted that the area has so far failed to realise its potential as a
strategic gateway to the city and beyond. It stated that the Troubles have had a
major impact on the area and upon local communities. Particularly badly
affected is the Tigers Bay area, notably along the interface along Duncairn
Gardens. The Mountcollyer and Gainsborough areas and Skegoneill Avenue
are further areas notes as suffering stress, with areas of dereliction, empty
housing and lack of private sector investment. The lack of demand for housing
in these areas compounds attempts to overcome these difficulties. The key
objectives identified were: creating a better mix of uses in the area; improving
access and movement; identifying key interventions, to act as catalysts for
development; and improving public realm.
Following a full public consultation exercise in 2010, a number of amendments
were proposed to the draft Masterplans. However, the recent challenging
economic times have meant that the Masterplans in their current form are not
practical and further consideration is being given to how any final plans might
look. The timeframe for the publication of these Masterplans has not yet been
decided.
2.6 Inner North Belfast Neighbourhood Renewal Partnership Action Plan
The pilot area falls entirely within the Inner North Belfast Neighbourhood
Renewal Area. The Inner North Belfast Neighbourhood Renewal Area
comprises mostly of Duncairn and New Lodge wards, and also includes Carrick
Hill, Newington, Mountcollyer, Gainsborough, Grove, Northwood, Mount Vernon
and Shore Crescent.
The main aims of the strategy are to influence statutory agencies to focus their
investments and resources on the delivery of public services where they will
have most impact on improving the well-being and quality of life for those living
and working in Inner North; to engage in effective working partnerships with key
stakeholders from all relevant sectors to proactively deliver the identified
priorities detailed in the Neighbourhood Action Plan; and to maintain a
10 | P a g eNeighbourhood Partnership and related sub group structures that are
representative of local regeneration stakeholders that will lead, coordinate and
monitor implementation of the Neighbourhood Action Plan.
Neighbourhood Renewal Measurement of Outcomes Report 2014
The Inner North Neighbourhood Renewal Partnership is one of five
neighbourhood partnerships in North Belfast. The other four are Crumlin
Ardoyne Partnership; Rathcoole Neighbourhood Partnership; Ligoniel
Neighbourhood Partnership; Ballysillan and Upper Ardoyne Neighbourhood
Partnership.
The purpose of the Neighbourhood Renewal Measurement of Outcomes
Report 2014 highlights, across a number of key economic and social outcomes,
if the gap is closing between NRAs and Non-NRAs. The findings from the
Neighbourhood Renewal Report along with the Area’s Annual Report should be
reflected upon when developing the Building Successful Communities plan for
the area.
Baseline Current Gap between
ECONOMIC RENEWAL Year Year NRA & Non-NRA
JSA 2003 2013 Increasing
Income Support 2004 2013 Decreasing
Incapacity Benefit 2005 2013 Decreasing
ESA 2011 2013 Increasing
DLA 2003 2013 Decreasing
State Pension 2005 2013 Increasing
SOCIAL RENEWAL - Education
Maths Percentage Achieving Key Stage
1 Level 2 2005/06 2011/12 Increasing
English Percentage Achieving Key Stage
1 Level 2 2005/06 2011/12 Increasing
Maths Percentage Achieving Key Stage
2 Level 4 2004/05 2011/12 Decreasing
English Percentage Achieving Key Stage
2 Level 4 2004/05 2011/12 Decreasing
5 GCSEs (A-C) 2004/05 2011/12 Increasing
5 GCSEs (A-C incl. English and Maths) 2007/08 2011/12 Increasing
School Leavers with no GCSEs 2004/05 2011/12 Decreasing
SOCIAL RENEWAL - Health
11 | P a g eDeaths Under 75 2005 2012 Increasing
Alcohol Related Deaths 2005-09 2007-11 Decreasing
Drug Related Deaths 2005-09 2007-11 Increasing
Deaths from Suicide and Undetermined
Intent 2005-09 2007-11 Increasing
Teenage Births 2005 2012 Decreasing
SOCIAL RENEWAL - Crime/Anti Social
Behaviour (per 1000 population)
Recorded Crime Offences 2003 2012 Decreasing
Violence against the person/sexual
offences/robbery 2003 2012 Increasing
Burglary 2003 2012 Decreasing
Theft 2003 2012 Decreasing
Criminal Damage 2003 2012 Decreasing
Drug Offences 2003 2012 Increasing
Anti-social Behaviour 2006 2012 Increasing
Offences Recorded with a Domestic
Abuse Motivation 2004 2012 Increasing
Source: http://www.dsdni.gov.uk/nra-inner-north-belfast-mor-2014.pdf
http://www.dsdni.gov.uk/inner-north-belfast-nra-annual-report-2012-13.pdf
2.7 Belfast Metropolitan Area Plan 2015
The Belfast Metropolitan Area Plan 2015 (BMAP) is a development plan being
prepared under the provisions of Part III of the Planning (Northern Ireland)
Order 1991 by the Planning Service, an Agency within the Department of the
Environment (DOE).
Within the target area, the following sites have been identified (also see Annex
1 for the BMAP map):
York Street/York Road, Shore Road has been designated as an arterial route
(AR01/01) with the junction of the York Rd and Limestone Rd identified as a
commercial node and area of parking restraint (AR03/01).
A 0.27 Ha site zoned for housing is identified between Esther St and North
Queen St (NB05/10).
12 | P a g eYork Rd including Jennymount Business Park (BT011/13), Duncairn Gardens
(BT011/14) and Shore Rd/Skegoneill St (BT011/16) are zoned as existing
areas of employment and industry.
Alexandra Park (BT081) is zoned as a historic park, garden and demesne and
also as a site of local nature conservation importance (BT102/01). Alexandra
Park has been a public park since 1887. The land was bought by Belfast
Corporation to establish a park in the north of the city. It was well laid out with
trees, lawns, and a lake. The lodge and gateway were added in 1888 and are
listed. Two more areas were added to the park in 1904 and 1906. Bridges
were built in 1912 and by the 1920s sports facilities were added. The
gates/screens/lodges at Alexandra (BT103) are also listed, the formal Victorian
‘pleasure garden’ based on the designated river course of Mile Water; and the
mature trees and pond which have biodiversity interest are included as an area
of local nature conservation interest. A ‘raised beach–type’ topographical
feature which includes a bowling green and associated facilities and links
across Alexandra Park to the south at Grove is zoned as an area of local
amenity importance (BT128).
Belfast City Council owns and manages a large variety of open space, sport
and outdoor recreational; areas throughout the City. BCC also own and
maintain playing fields and amenity areas. 0.39 Ha of land at Skegoneill Health
Centre (BT161) are identified for the provision of open space. Belfast City
Council have indicated their intention to develop this area as open space as
part of an overall scheme to provide for a new health ‘super centre’ within the
boundaries of Grove Playing Fields, York Road (BT163/04).
Source: http://www.planningni.gov.uk/index/policy/dev_plans/devplans_az/bmap_2015.htm
The Department of Environment, which has responsibility for BMAP, sought
ratification by the NI Executive in December 2013. The Plan was awarded a
Certificate of General Conformity with the Regional Development Strategy on
21 October 2013 by the Department for Regional Development and an Equality
Impact Assessment and a Habitats Regulations Assessment have been
completed. Subject to Executive agreement the Area Plan will be a fully live
13 | P a g edocument until superseded by ‘area development plans’ to be drawn up by
Belfast City Council following the extension of planning and regeneration
powers to them as part of the Reform of Local Government.
In the interim period the Plan continues to be a material consideration in the
determination of planning applications and is regarded as the extant plan in any
application where there have not been any objections to zonings/proposals as
part of the BMAP Public Inquiry process.
14 | P a g e3.0 Proposed Pilot Area Boundary
3.1 It is proposed that the boundary for the programme will be as set out below.
This will be subject to discussion and agreement by the Forum.
15 | P a g e4.0 Area Summary
4.1 Area Description
The Tigers Bay and Mountcollyer pilot area is located in North Belfast. It is
bounded by the Shore Road to the North and the Duncairn Gardens peace line
interface to the south. To the east lies the M2 motorway and Queens Island
and to the West Hallidays Road and Jellicoe Avenue.
16 | P a g ePilot Area (Red) within the Duncairn Electoral Ward (Purple)
It is situated in the Duncairn Ward of the Castle Electoral area and the North
Belfast Parliamentary Constituency.
Aerial Photograph of Pilot Area (outlined in red)
The north side of Duncairn Gardens is dominated by North City Business Park,
at the North Queen Street junction, which runs the full length of the pilot area
boundary. The southern side of the road is comprised of a mix of commercial
and residential properties. North Queen Street runs from Duncairn Gardens to
York Road. The streetscape comprises commercial and residential properties
along with play facilities. There are also a number of vacant shops and
incomplete housing developments. The NIHE has noted that the frontages of
North Queen Street at Tigers Bay and Mountcollyer are in need of
environmental improvement works and are suffering from blight and dereliction.
17 | P a g eBlight and Dereliction on North Queen Street
Within the pilot area, York Street runs from the junction with Brougham Street
to the junction with Skegoneill Avenue. Initially, the road is dominated by the
Yorkgate Train Station and commercial properties including Rite Price Carpets,
the Castleton Centre and Thompsons Mills amongst others. Beyond North
Derby Street, the Glasgow Street area (which backs onto the M2) becomes
residential. There is a mix of owner occupiers, Housing Association tenanted
and NIHE tenanted housing. On the opposite side of the road, the cleared site
that comprised the former Grove Leisure Centre is situated.
18 | P a g eFormer Grove Leisure Centre Site
The section of Hallidays Road which runs from Upper Mervue Street to
Limestone Road is comprised of new housing at Syringa Street and at the
Limestone Road junctions. Between these two areas, there are 10 derelict
units which back onto the peace line. The Hallidays Road Community Garden
and Angel sculpture is also in this area.
The Tigers Bay Estate was built largely during the 1980’s. There are 514
Housing Executive Properties within the estate. The Housing Executive has
sold 378 properties in the Common Landlord Area. This however includes
more popular areas such as Gainsborough and Mountcollyer. There are
currently 27 NIHE rented properties void in the area; this includes 10 long term
voids that are pending demolition. (See Annex 1 - Maps)
19 | P a g eHallidays Road Voids
Hallidays Road Community Garden and Angel sculpture
20 | P a g eMervue Street runs though Tigers Bay and is composed of mainly residential
NIHE tenanted properties. Hogarth Street comprises 2 large green spaces
where derelict housing has been cleared.
Hogarth Street Cleared Sites
The Limestone Road runs from York Road to the Antrim Road. The pilot area
runs to the junction with Hallidays Road. Between York Road and North Queen
Street, the Road comprises housing on the left (the rears of the housing on
Mountcollyer Avenue and commercial units on the right). From the North
Queen Street junction, the left hand side of the Road is characterised by a large
red brick wall which runs along the back of the Mountcollyer Avenue housing.
The right hand side is residential (again, with a large number of NIHE tenanted
properties). The left hand side is then dominated by a number of commercial
units (WAC Mc Candless Engineers and Sita UK Waste Management) before
coming to Currie Primary School. The pilot area stops around the Delaware
housing development and the peace line on this side of the road.
21 | P a g eThe Delaware Building
The Delaware Shared Future Housing Scheme is a cross community
partnership between two housing associations (Newington and Filor), and a
cross-community partnership consisting of Newington Residents Association,
Tigers Bay Concerned Residents Group and North Belfast Community
Development and Transition Group. Formerly known as the Old Shirt Factory,
this building situated on the Limestone Road opposite the Halidays Road
entrance to Tigers Bay, had badly deteriorated and was at the centre of
interface violence that resulted in the need for five CCTV cameras to be located
in front of this building, which are still present.
This building was purchased by a private developer who turned the derelict mill
into apartments, which due to their interface location; he was unable to sell
privately. Following the formation of a cross-community partnership to support
Newington and Filor Housing Associations, the development was purchased,
with financial assistance from DSD. The Housing Associations worked in
partnership with the cross community partnership to develop a shared future
social housing project. This ensured these properties would be allocated on a
cross community basis with all tenants agreeing to support principles of a
22 | P a g eshared housing scheme similar to those supported by the Northern Ireland
Housing Executive.
Mileriver Street/Mountcollyer Street/Glencollyer Street runs to the side and rear
of Currie Primary School. This includes 1.56 Ha of undeveloped land which is
in the ownership of NIHE (see 4.9).
Vacant Land at Mileriver Street/Mountcollyer Street
Alexandra Park was opened in 1888 and was named after Princess Alexandra.
Owned and managed by Belfast City Council (BCC), the park is particularly
popular with wildlife enthusiasts and is home to a variety of water birds and
other species. Alexandra Park was thought to be the only park in Western
Europe with a wall dividing it into two parts. BCC teamed up with the Alexandra
Park Steering Group and Groundwork NI to open the existing Peace Gate in
the park in September 2011. ERDF’s Peace III Programme awarded £50,000
towards the project. The Alexandra Park Steering Group has worked with local
residents and representative groups over the past three years to promote the
use and regeneration of the park, helping to make it safer with improved
access.
Source: http://www.belfastcity.gov.uk/leisure/parks-openspaces/Park-6604.aspx
23 | P a g eAlexandra Park Peace Gate
4.2 Properties
LPS advises that there are 3,090 private sector properties in the Belfast City
Council Duncairn Ward, of which 481 (15.6%) are vacant. From the Pointer
National Address Database there are 270 non-domestic properties within the
Tiger’s Bay DSD Analysis Area. The nature of business is varied and wide
ranging. Examples of larger employers include Rite Price, Kwik-Fit, Building
Contractors, Star Flow Ltd, Tunstall Telecom, Sita UK Waste Management and
WAC McCandless Engineers, as well as a number of other employers.
North City Business Centre was established in 1993 with the first tenant taking
up his unit in 1994 leading the way in the regeneration of lower Duncairn
Gardens. They are the Local Enterprise Agency for North Belfast and have a
dedicated team of business and employment advisors to provide support for the
small business sector and those interested in starting up a business as well as
helping local residents of North Belfast gain employment. They also support
new and existing businesses to get successfully started with their business
venture, to keep going in the current economic climate and eventually grow to
24 | P a g ebecome employers, exporters and contributors within North Belfast and the
wider economy. The pilot area also includes the private sector commercial
developments at Jennymount Business Park and the Castleton Centre.
4.3 Social Housing Stock
The tables below detail the range of housing currently provided within the pilot
area by the NIHE and 7 Housing Associations.
Newin-
Bed NIHE Clanmil Fold Apex Grove Helm Oaklee Total
gton
1 45 24 3 5 31 108
2 295 12 6 68 12 3 396
3 164 21 1 5 86 12 6 1 296
4 9 2 2 13
5 5 5
Total 518 35 25 11 157 26 11 35 818
4.4 Housing Need
The study area includes the Upper and Lower Duncairn, Gainsborough-
Mountcollyer and Grove NIHE Common Landlord Areas (CLA). Within these
CLAs, there are 128 applicants on the waiting lists, consisting of 19 elderly, 62
single, 1 large adult, 9 small adult, 3 large families and 6 small families. There
are 57 applicants in housing stress, consisting of 16 elderly applicants, 22
single, 1 large adult, 6 small adult, 1 large family and 11 small families.
25 | P a g eNorth CLA Elderly Large Large Single Small Small Grand
Belfast Adult Family Adult Family Total
NIHE
DISTRICT
(March
2014)
Applicants Gainsborough-Mountcollyer 8 3 22 2 15 50
Grove 7 1 15 5 13 41
Upper & Lower Duncairn 4 25 2 6 37
TOTAL 19 1 3 62 9 34 128
Stress Gainsborough-Mountcollyer 6 1 8 1 4 20
Grove 6 1 9 3 5 24
Upper & Lower Duncairn 4 5 2 2 13
TOTAL 16 1 1 22 6 11 57
Allocations Gainsborough-Mountcollyer 4 2 2 20 5 12 45
Grove 1 1 3 7 12
Upper & Lower Duncairn 2 5 31 2 10 50
TOTAL 7 3 7 54 7 29 107
Source: NIHE
4.5 Current and Ongoing Housing Development
Apex Housing Association are nearing the completion of 1 New Build property
in Lawther Court. They will also provide 38 New Build properties in the
Alexandra Park Avenue area. The estimated completion date for this
development is April 2016.
26 | P a g e4.6 Undeveloped Land
The following publicly owned undeveloped sites have been identified in the
area (see maps at Annex 1):
BRANCH SITE AREA (m2) COMMENTS
BRO 28 Duncairn Gardens 97
BRO 2a Adam Street 563
BRO 184 North Queen Street 45
BRO 10-14 York Road 166
BRO 50-58 York Road 514 Leased to PSNI
NIHE Mountcollyer Phase 2 15,600
NIHE Hogarth Street 1 1,771
NIHE Hogarth Street 2 1,900
Leased to Duncairn
Community Garden (see
NIHE Hogarth Street 3 573 section 6.3)
NIHE Gainsborough 1 2,900
Grove Development
Study Lands (see section
NIHE Gainsborough 2 15,700 6.4)
Grove Development
Former Grove Primary Study Lands (see section
BCC School 10,180 6.4)
Grove Development
Former Grove Leisure Study Lands (see section
BCC Centre 5,140 6.4)
27 | P a g e5.0 Demography
5.1 Area Overview
Duncairn 1 SOA Duncairn 2 SOA Northern Ireland
Total Population 2,807 2,094 1,810,863
Males 1,516 1,003 887,323
Females 1,291 1,091 923,540
Total Households 1,393 966 703,275
% Population Under 16 15.39% 22.78% 20.95%
% Population 16 – 64 71.54% 61.99% 64.49%
% Population Over 65 13.07% 15.23% 14.56%
Source: http://www.ninis2.nisra.gov.uk/
The area is characterised by high levels of benefit dependency, low levels of
educational attainment, an aging population as well as major issues of anti-
social behaviour and blight.
All six of the pilot areas are above the Northern Ireland average (5.2%) in
respect of the percentage of the working age population who are claiming
unemployment benefit. However the Tigers Bay and Mountcollyer pilot area
has the highest claimant percentage of the six pilot areas (12.6%).
28 | P a g e5.2 Economic Activity
To identify the statistics relevant to the pilot area, small area data relevant to
the pilot area has been considered. The data below has been extracted from
the 2011 Census.
Source: http://www.ninis2.nisra.gov.uk/public/Home.aspx
Tigers Bay and
Economic Activity Mountcollyer Northern Ireland
Number Percentage Number Percentage
Economically active: Employee: Part-time:
Aged 16-74 yrs 362 14.10% 172,138 13.11%
Economically active: Employee: Full-time:
Aged 16-74 yrs 644 25.09% 467,805 35.62%
Economically active: Self-employed: Aged
16-74 yrs 85 3.31% 116,666 8.88%
Economically active: Unemployed: Aged
16-74 yrs 194 7.56% 65,196 4.96%
Economically active: Full-time student:
Aged 16-74 yrs 83 3.23% 47,962 3.65%
Economically Active: Total Aged 16 - 74 1,368 53.29% 869,767 66.22%
Economically inactive: Retired: Aged 16-74
yrs 348 13.56% 170,016 12.94%
Economically inactive: Student (including
full-time students): Aged 16-74 yrs 129 5.03% 81,158 6.18%
Economically inactive: Looking after home
or family: Aged 16-74 yrs 175 6.82% 58,398 4.45%
Economically inactive: Long-term sick or
disabled: Aged 16-74 yrs 409 15.93% 95,480 7.27%
Economically inactive: Other: Aged 16-74
yrs 138 5.38% 38,601 2.94%
Economically inactive: Total Aged 16 - 74 1,199 46.71% 443,653 33.78%
All usual residents: Aged 16-74 yrs 2,567 100.00% 1,313,420 100.00%
Carried out voluntary work: Aged 16-74 yrs 231 9.00% 205,513 15.65%
Unemployed: Aged 16-24 yrs 49 25.26% 18,870 28.94%
Unemployed: Aged 50-74 yrs 32 38.55% 10,827 22.57%
Unemployed: Never worked: Aged 16-74
yrs 36 18.56% 10,957 16.81%
Long-term unemployed: Aged 16-74 yrs 92 47.42% 29,324 44.98%
The area is characterised by a lower than average economically active
population (53.3% in the pilot area versus 66.2% in Northern Ireland); a lower
percentage of economically active people employed full time (25.1% vs. 35.6%
in NI); a lower percentage of economically active people self employed (3.3%
29 | P a g evs. 8.9%) and a much larger percentage unemployment (7.6% vs. 5%). Of the
unemployed, the proportion in the age group 50-74 is much higher in the pilot
area (38.6%) than in Northern Ireland (22.6%).
Of the economically inactive, 15.9% are long term sick or disabled compared to
the Northern Ireland average of 7.3%.
Source: http://www.ninis2.nisra.gov.uk/
5.3 Deprivation
The Tigers Bay and Mountcollyer DSD Analysis Area intersects a number of
Northern Irelands most deprived areas. According to the Northern Ireland
Multiple Deprivation Measure 2010, the Super Output Area (SOA) is the chosen
default unit for this. The relevant SOAs are:
• Duncairn 1: This is NI’s 19th most deprived area; and
• Duncairn 2: NI’s 53rd most deprived area.
Both SOAs fall within the top 10% of the most deprived SOA’s in Northern
Ireland.
Deprivation (NIMDM 2010) SOA 1 rank SOA 2 rank
(out of 890) (out of 890)
Multiple Deprivation Measure 19 53
Income Deprivation 49 51
Employment Deprivation 29 45
Health Deprivation and Disability 26 79
Deprivation
Education and Skills Deprivation 7 44
Proximity to Services Deprivation 799 827
Crime and Disorder 69 62
Living Environment 32 133
Income Deprivation (Children) 41 47
Income Deprivation (Older People) 85 113
Population Estimate 2807 2094
Source: http://www.ninis2.nisra.gov.uk/
30 | P a g eRankings of SOA in North Belfast in 2010 (NIMDM 2010)
5.4 Neighbourhood Renewal Area
At Neighbourhood Renewal Area (NRA) level, Inner North Belfast has the
following characteristics:
• 3800 Housing Benefit claimants in August 2013
• 1360 JSA Claimants in 2012 – highest of all NRA’s
• 17 Drug Related Deaths in 2008-2012 (2nd highest of all NRAs)
• 34 Alcohol Related Deaths in 2008-2012 (3rd highest of all NRAs)
• 30 Deaths from suicide and undetermined intent 2008-2012 (2nd highest
of all NRA’s)
• Source: http://www.ninis2.nisra.gov.uk/
5.5 Religious Breakdown
The pilot area is predominantly of protestant community background, although
it is in close proximity to areas of predominantly Catholic community
background. On Census Day (27 March 2011) for the Duncairn ward, of the
4,901 usual residents:
• 1,155 (24%) belong to or were brought up in a Catholic religion;
31 | P a g e• 3,131 (64%) belong to or were brought up in a ‘Protestant and other
Christian (including other Christian related)’ religion;
• 110 (2%) other religions and
• 505 (10%) no religion.
5.6 Crime
Historically, there have been problems with sectarian unrest and paramilitaries.
Within the North Belfast constituency, Duncairn ward has:
• The highest total number of reported Anti Social Behaviour incidents at
857 in year ending March 2012.
• The highest rate (32,173 per 100,000 population) of recorded crimes
• The third highest rate of Domestic Abuse cases reported in Northern
Ireland – 99 cases
The figures below relate to crime carried out in the pilot area between May
2013 and March 2014.
Crime Types May 2013 to March 2014
Bicycle theft
Possession of weapons
Robbery
Theft from the person
Other crime
Public order
Vehicle crime
Drugs
Burglary
Shoplifting
Other theft
Criminal damage and arson
Violence and sexual offences
Anti-social behaviour
0 50 100 150 200 250 300 350
32 | P a g eCrime type Total Crime type Total
Anti-social behaviour 297 Vehicle crime 17
Violence and sexual offences 129 Public order 14
Criminal damage and arson 93 Other crime 11
Other theft 51 Theft from the person 8
Shoplifting 44 Robbery 6
Burglary 41 Possession of weapons 5
Drugs 21 Bicycle theft 2
Source: http://www.police.uk/
33 | P a g e6.0 Current Initiatives
6.1 Neighbourhood Renewal
In June 2003, Government launched “People and Place – A strategy for
Neighbourhood Renewal”. This long term (7 – 10 year) strategy targets those
communities throughout Northern Ireland suffering the highest levels of
deprivation. Neighbourhood Renewal is a cross government strategy and aims
to bring together the work of all Government Departments in partnership with
local people to tackle disadvantage and deprivation in all aspects of everyday
life. The Inner North Neighbourhood Renewal Area was identified in this
strategy.
Funded Organisations 2013/14
Inner North Community Development and £129,382
Mount Vernon Relations
Community The aims and objectives of this
Development project are to deliver a range of
Forumt activities in line with the actions
- Loughview in the Inner North Action Plan.
Community Action The project will work
Partnership collaboratively with other
groups to secure and facilitate
the much needed services in the
area. Examples of this are ;
Ashton Community Trust,
Northern Ireland Alternatives,
Good Morning North Belfast,
Surestart as well as a wide
range of statutory agencies.
This enables programmes such
as training and employment
services by way of a job club to
work with residents and help
them back into employment,
development of early years
programmes and a wide range
of other programmes including
arts, sports and culture, health,
environment and youth.
It addresses the following
34 | P a g ethemes in the action plan :
- Physical and Economic
- Health and Wellbeing
- Children and Young People
- Social and Community
Inner North ESF - LEAP £42,268
North Belfast The Local Employment Access
Partnership Partnership (LEAP) is a
collaborative group of agencies
from public, private and
community sectors working to
reduce barriers to employment
and increase access to jobs for
unemployed and economically
inactive residents of North
Belfast. LEAP’s main aim is to
address issues of disadvantage
and social exclusion through the
employability with inputs from
stakeholders across the
community to create an area
‘vision’.
It addresses the following
themes in the action plan :
- Physical and Economic
Inner North Community Development and £41,429
Carrick Hill Relations
Residents Assoc. The project aims to support,
develop and implement
programmes of activities,
educational, recreational and
social, in order to build positive
and effective relationships with
local people and statutory
agencies, developing effective
and practical means of
communication and information
sharing within and between
communities in the Inner North
NRA and across the North
Belfast NRAs. The project
project promotes community
involvement in Carrick Hill and
has already built up good
working relationships with
35 | P a g estatutory agencies to address
issues around housing,
environment, education and
society.
It addresses the following
themes in the Action Plan :
- Health and Wellbeing
- Children and Young People
- Social and Community
- Physical and Economic
Inner North Community Development and £10,894
Arts For All Relations
The project delivers a
programme of activities which
will develop the community and
build its capacity through the
medium of the arts in North
Belfast. The programme has
been devised to improve skills,
build confidence and
compliment formal education
whilst encouraging local people
to express themselves in a
creative and positive way.
It addresses the following
themes in the Action Plan:
- Health and Wellbeing
- Children and Young People
- Social and Community
- Physical and Economic
Inner North Childcare £117,181
Ashton The project objectives are to
Community Trust deliver a high quality,
affordable, accessible childcare
service to local people in some
of the most deprived areas in
North Belfast, facilitating their
uptake of training, employment
and educational opportunities
and providing an essential
support service to parents and
guardians. The project will
achieve this through the
provision of childcare facilities
36 | P a g efor 212 children in the 0-12 age
group.
It addresses the following
themes in the Action Plan :
- Health and Wellbeing
- Children and Young People
-Social and Community
- Physical and Economic
Inner North Childcare £11,191
174 Trust The project provides a secure
and shared venue for children,
aged 5-11 years, from the
Greater New Lodge and
surrounding areas, for play,
social interaction and other
activities putting children first.
It sustains 18 places in
Afterschool Playcare provision
at an affordable cost.
Additionally the project
facilitates parents who are in
work or training as well as
families in need of respite care.
This is an inclusive project and
at present one third of its
children have additional needs
and staff are required to work
on a 1:1 basis with children
experiencing social and
emotional difficulties as well as
children with learning and
physical difficulties.
It addresses the following
themes in the Action Plan :
- Children and Young People
- Physical and Economic
- Social and Community
Inner North Community Development and £141,167
Star Relations
Neighbourhood The Star Neighbourhood Centre
Centre provides a range of services,
programmes and facilities for
the local New Lodge
community. The project’s
37 | P a g eprinciple aim is ‘to improve the
quality of life of local residents
by providing much needed
services to the community of
the ‘Long Streets’ area of the
New Lodge. This project will
attempt to tackle social
exclusion by promoting
community development which
will in turn build confidence,
self esteem and capacity of
local people to participate in
neighbourhood regeneration.
It addresses the following
themes in the Action Plan:
- Health and Wellbeing
- Children and Young People
- Social and Community
- Physical and Economic
Inner North Skills and Employment £65,697
Ashton There are 2 elements to this
Community Trust project namely Community ICT
and Community Access to
Lifelong Learning. A wide
range of programmes are on
offer including; Essential skills,
adult literacy and numeracy, an
entrance strategy into the world
of education, a social means of
communication through ICT
and a drop in facility as well as
outreach when possible. This
training helps participants
progress to further education,
training or into employment.
It addresses the following
themes in the action plan :
- Physical and Economic
- Children and Young People
- Social and Community
38 | P a g e6.2 Belfast City Council (BCC)
39 | P a g eReform of Local Government
By April 2015, there will be 11 new councils. Belfast District will increase in
size and take on additional responsibilities. From 1 April 2015, Belfast City
Council will have responsibility for:
NEW FUNCTION FROM
Planning (including development of area plans, Department of the
processing planning applications and planning Environment (DOE)
enforcement responsibilities)
Urban regeneration and community development Department for
(including environmental improvement schemes, Social
neighbourhood renewal and some community Development (DSD)
development programmes for the voluntary and
community sectors)
Regulatory housing responsibilities (including the DSD
registration of multiple occupancy houses and the
issuing of repair and demolition notices)
Part responsibility for local roads (including off-street Department for
parking, but not Park and Ride facilities) Regional
Development (DRD)
Local economic development (including the Start a Department of
Business Programme, youth entrepreneurship Enterprise, Trade
schemes and neighbourhood renewal funding relating and Investment
to enterprise initiatives) (DETI)
Local tourism (including business start-up advice and DETI
customer care schemes)
Authority to draw up local lists of buildings of DOE
architectural and historic interest
Rural development DRD
Additionally, the council will also have two new areas of responsibility:
40 | P a g e1. Community Planning
This is a new council-led duty aimed at improving the quality of life for people,
communities and neighbourhoods. It will provide a framework for councils,
central government departments, statutory bodies, the third and business
sectors, and other relevant agencies to work together and engage with
communities to develop a shared vision for promoting wellbeing.
2. General power of competence
This power will enable BCC, in broad terms, to act with similar freedom to an
individual, unless there is a law to prevent them from doing so. It will give BCC
the ability to act in their interest and develop innovative approaches to
addressing issues within their area.
Renewing the Routes
In February 2012, BCC’s Development Committee agreed a 4 year programme for
the continuation of local regeneration activity across the target areas of the city. The
2015/16 Programme will be the final year of this rolling programme includes York
Road (Fife Street to York Street). £150k has been allocated for this. BCC anticipate
carrying out consultation early 2015 with elected members, key community
stakeholders, local businesses and traders along with other statutory agencies.
Alleygates
Alleygates help to reduce antisocial behaviour, burglaries and fear of crime. As well
as making neighbourhoods feel safer, they're also helping to build a cleaner
environment. So far, the Council have installed 365 gates and secured the rear of
6,500 terraced homes and businesses.
The third phase of the alleygates programme is currently underway (2014/15
financial year) and forms part of BCC’s Investment Programme 2012-2015. It will
bring the total number of gates installed across the city to almost 600. There are also
a number of additional alleygates proposed within North Belfast as part of the
Council’s Intervention Fund. Alleygates within the Tigers Bay and Mountcollyer
Building Successful Communities Pilot Area include:
41 | P a g e• Lanes to rear of Mountcollyer Avenue (North and South) from Crosscollyer
Street to North Queen Street
• Lanes to rear of Gainsborough Drive (North and South) from Esther Street to
Brantwood Street (also lane to rear of Alexandra Park Avenue (South))
• Lane to Rear of Ivan Street (South) at entrance to MIlewater Footbridge over
the M2 Motorway.
Peace III
Phase I of PEACE III operated from 2009-2011 and Phase II operated from 2012-
2013 (ended in December 2013). All PEACE III projects have therefore now
completed, with the exception of the Interfaces Project and Youth Engagement
Project (both running until September this year).
Land in Belfast City Council Ownership
• Alexandra Park
• Alexandra Park Recycling Centre, Environmental Health
• Castleton Playground, Parks
• Duncairn Community Centre, Community
• Duncairn Playground, Parks
• The Mount Sports Zone, Parks
• Midland Social and Recreational Club, Community
• Grove Former Primary School, Other BCC Site
• Grove Leisure Centre, Other BCC Site
• Grove Playing Fields, Parks
• Grove Wellbeing Centre
Current BCC Funding – Other funding is listed within this table
Type Organisation & Project Title Status Total Allocation
BCC First Step Drop In Centre, Community Contract until 31 £7,231
Revenue Development Grants March 2015
BCC Capital Grove Wellbeing Centre, Provision of Emerging project Unknown
additional pool seating within BCC
Capital
Programme -
Unconfirmed
42 | P a g eBCC Capital Skegoniel Site Emerging project Unknown
within BCC
Capital
Programme -
Unconfirmed
BCC Capital Old Grove Site Belfast Unknown
Investment Fund
Project –
Currently at
Stage 1:
Feasibility
BCC Capital Midland Amateur Boxing Association NLIF011 £250,000.00
BCC Capital Small Steps Adult Education Group NLIF055 £48,460.00
DSD North Belfast Partnership, Neighbourhood Current Projects £122,390.46
Revenue Renewal Partnership Co-ordination (North (until 31 March
Belfast wide, but one worker assigned to 2015)
Inner North Belfast)
DSD North Belfast Partnership, The Current Projects £165,087.59
Revenue Regeneration and Renewal of North (until 31 March
Belfast (North Belfast wide, but located 2015)
within area) Shadow Council
minded to
continue for 2-
year transition
(2015-2017)
DSD North Belfast Employment Centre, ESF- Current Projects £57,152.55
Revenue Improving your Future Prospects (until 31 March
2015)
DSD North Belfast Employment Centre, ESF- Understand DEL £58,958.00
Revenue Restart are currently
DSD Womens Tec, ESF- Extended Training in developing £78,910.00
Revenue the Community successor
DSD North Belfast Partnership, ESF- LEAP programme. £42,268.10
Revenue (North Belfast wide) Match funding
was supplied by
DSD.
DSD’s North Belfast Development Trust (Delivery Unconfirmed £70,000
Community North Belfast wide) contract for
Investment 2014/15
Fund (VCU)
DSD Capital NORTH BELFAST - Adam St Shared Currently under Unknown
Space, Social Economy Project Review, not
DSD Capital Currie Primary School- Classroom confirmed Unknown
Refurbishment
DSD Capital NORTH BELFAST - Midland Boxing Club, Unknown
Possible Capital Project
SIF NB WISP- Community Extension & SIF- Cluster Unknown
Refurbishment capital project.
Not yet
confirmed.
SIF Arts for All- Purchase and refurbishment of Unknown
existing building
43 | P a g e6.3 Duncairn Community Garden
Duncairn Community Garden is a community development initiative on land
owned by the Housing Executive and managed by local residents and local
church representatives. This project was funded through Belfast Regeneration
Office and is actively supported and maintained by Loughview Community
Action Partnership (LCAP) and the Duncairn Community Garden Committee. It
is open every Thursday from 10-1 where everyone is welcome to get involved.
In March 2014, the Housing Executive requested the Department’s consent to
the granting of a 5 year lease at a nominal amount to Duncairn Community
Gardens in respect of an area of land being used as community growing space.
The group has been using the land under an agreement with the local NIHE
District office for a couple of years and they regularised this arrangement by
granting a licence to occupy the site for five years. They work with the Youth
Justice Agency to offer OCN accredited courses at the community garden.
These courses help the youth to manage anger, addictions etc but with a ‘side
on’ approach.
6.4 Grove Development Study
In June 2013, DSD appointed URS to complete a Development Study for the
Grove area of north Belfast. During the course of their study, URS consulted
44 | P a g ewith a wide range of stakeholders, including the local community. They also
carried out considerable research and produced a number of end uses for the
land which is owned by Belfast City Council (BCC) and the Northern Ireland
Housing Executive (NIHE).
In summary, they propose:
• short-term: Meanwhile Uses on a portion of the NIHE land;
• long-term: Business start-up and youth training units and Innovation
Centre on the former Grove Primary School and Leisure Centre sites;
• the Midland Boxing Club be relocated to a portion of NIHE land;
• retaining land for future housing use; and
• Environmental improvements which may include the partial closure of
North Queen Street.
With the current lack of private investment, URS see the meanwhile use
concept as a realistic option and have cited a project in Queen’s Parade,
Bangor as a good example – where 12 artists’ studios transformed a derelict
space at the seafront. URS are of the opinion that if a scheme of this nature
was successful, permanent accommodation may be a long-term aspiration for
the sites. As the majority of the land is in BCC ownership, they are best placed
to take forward the proposals.
The draft report has been presented to BCC’s Strategic Policy and Resources
Committee and the members agreed that officers should continue to facilitate
discussions with interested parties over the future use of the Grove site.
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