Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough Council is to make a £1.3m funding bid for the conservation of Steeple Round Tower and Park in Antrim.
Councillors were reminded that the development of Steeple Park is one of the local authority’s capital projects after it was identified as “an under-used heritage asset” at a meeting of the Community Planning Committee recently.
The committee has now agreed to appoint an architect to progress the development of the project to the stage required for submission of a full application to the Heritage Fund.
The Round Tower is a scheduled monument and Grade One listed structure.
Antrim Alliance Councillor Neil Kelly described the restoration project as “a long journey”.
Antrim DUP Councillor Paul Dunlop commented:
“I hope that this application goes through. We have a gem in there. The park is not utilised in the way it could be.
“I am hoping the first thing we will do is the path linking the Mill House into the park. That would be great to see. It would be the first linkage into the park.”
In March, the local authority announced that work is to begin on the refurbishment of the former Wellworths building at High Street in Antrim town centre and to create a new open space at ‘Ulster Bar’ corner.
This £8.1m scheme will include the refurbishment of the first floor of the former retail premises into new social enterprise and business start-up office space and new business accommodation.