Long-vacant Northgate site set for major town centre social housing redevelopment

How the new proposed buildings will look on North Street, Carrickfergus

Planning permission has been granted by Mid and East Antrim Borough Council for the construction of new apartments in Carrickfergus town centre on the site of a former pub.

The approved proposal will see The Northgate bar and restaurant, at 59–63 North Street, demolished and replaced with an apartment block comprising 17 social housing units.

The development includes four one-bedroom general-needs apartments, two two-bedroom wheelchair-accessible apartments, and 11 two-bedroom general-needs apartments.

The current streetscape at the site of former Northgate bar and restaurant in Carrickfergus

A development management officer’s report said:

“The existing building has suffered fire damage with parts of it completely destroyed. Only a portion of the building, along the site frontage, remains standing. The land to the rear is overgrown and scattered with debris and rubble.”

It was noted that the site is located within the town’s Conservation Area and also falls within an Area of Archaeological Potential, close to the historic town wall.

The report stated that the original scheme had included “false shop fronts” along North Street, but these were considered “unacceptable from a conservation perspective”.

Officials said this would “create a façade that lacks authenticity and fails to integrate into the historic streetscape”.

An amended scheme was later submitted with a revised frontage, “providing a residential frontage, featuring window openings similar to the upper floor”.

Before and after views from the East showing how the street will look following the construction of new social housing apartments in Carrickfergus

The report continued:

“This site has remained vacant for a prolonged period and there has been a lack of demand for retail use on the site. The existing situation has a negative impact on the appearance of the town centre.

“Therefore, it is considered, in this case, that the loss of this long-vacant unit would not have a detrimental impact on the overall retail provision of the town centre.”

Planning officials also said the proposed apartments were in keeping with the surrounding area.

“Apartments are not at odds with the area given the various apartments within the town centre and wider area. The proposed density of 17 apartments is considered acceptable.”

It was further concluded that the development “would not have an unacceptable adverse impact on the privacy of existing occupants in nearby residential units”.

The report added: “The proposal will bring a vacant town centre site back into active use, helping to discourage anti-social behaviour.”

Two parking spaces will be provided within the development itself.

Artist’s impression of the newly constructed building at North Street, Carrickfergus

The remaining demand will be met through on-street parking at St Bride’s Street and Albert Road, with additional parking available at Lancasterian Street Car Park.

Officials said the proposal provides “a mix of apartments reflective of the local need”, highlighting “a strong need for single and small family applicants”.

The report also pointed out that the proposed footprint is only “marginally larger than the footprint of the public house”.

It added that the proposed flat roof was “designed at the request of HED (Historic Environment Division)” and noted that the planned development is adjacent to the “large flat roof of the De Courcy Shopping Centre”.

“Furthermore, the redevelopment of this dilapidated site would result in a visual improvement within the Conservation Area,” the report stressed.

It concluded: “The town wall which runs along the rear of the properties on St Bride’s Street offers a level of screening which helps safeguard the privacy and amenity of neighbouring residents.

“It is considered that the proposal would not have an unacceptable adverse impact on the privacy and amenity of existing residents.”

---

At a glance

• Planning permission has been granted for 17 social housing apartments in Carrickfergus town centre

• The development will replace the former Northgate bar and restaurant at 59–63 North Street

• The existing fire-damaged building will be demolished

• The scheme includes four one-bedroom apartments, two wheelchair-accessible two-bedroom apartments, and 11 two-bedroom apartments

• The site lies within the Conservation Area and close to the historic town wall

• Revised plans were submitted after proposed “false shop fronts” were rejected on heritage grounds

• Planning officials said the long-vacant site has had a negative impact on the town centre

• The development is expected to help bring the site back into active use and discourage anti-social behaviour

• Two on-site parking spaces are included, with additional nearby public parking available

• Officials said the mix of homes reflects strong local demand for single people and small families