The former St Patrick’s Barracks site in Ballymena is set to be transformed.
UK and NI Executive Ministers gathered at the ICC Belfast this morning (Wednesday, December 15) to sign the first ever City Deal for Northern Ireland, which will see funding for a number of major projects such as:
• i4C Innovation Centre at St Patrick’s Barracks, Ballymena The i4C Innovation Centre at St Patrick’s Barracks regeneration site, Ballymena, represents the first of these Hubs which will provide a physical base and support to increase levels of SME innovation and commercialisation activity. It will also provide skills and training solutions in the cleantech sector including the Hydrogen Training Academy.
• Carrickfergus regeneration Carrickfergus Regeneration will provide investment in Carrickfergus Castle, including its visitor hub and historic walls. Its connection to the town centre will regenerate, reposition and rebrand the town, placing it firmly on the map as an authentic, heritage-led tourism hub - a 'must visit' starting point to the Causeway Coastal Route.
• The Gobbins Phase 2 The Gobbins Phase 2 aims to build on this exhilarating visitor attraction through the addition of a stunning staircase, an upgrade to the cliff top path - to include a new rope bridge that stretches across the coastline – and the development of a new Welcome Hub which will include Augmented Reality experiences.
The Belfast Region City Deal unlocks £1 billion of transformative co-investment which will deliver more than 20 highly ambitious projects and programmes, create up to 20,000 new and better jobs and help make the region a global investment destination over the next decade.
The Deal will strengthen the region’s offer in growth sectors such as life and health sciences, digital and creative industries and advanced manufacturing. It will also support next generation digital capabilities, boost tourism by creating world-class visitor experiences and enable regeneration, underpinned by infrastructure developments and investment in skills to connect people to jobs and services.
Belfast Region City Deal partners have been working intensively since 2017 with the NI Executive, UK Government and industry partners to develop the deal and prepare the case for investment.
(L-R) First Minister Paul Givan, Minister for Finance Conor Murphy, Belfast Lord Mayor, Councillor Kate Nicholl, Secretary of State for Northern Ireland Brandon Lewis, Chair of the Belfast Region City Deal Executive Board Suzanne Wylie and Deputy First Minister Michelle O’Neill are pictured at ICC Belfast to mark the signing of the first City Deal for Northern Ireland.
Speaking on behalf of the Belfast Region City Deal partners, Belfast Lord Mayor Councillor Kate Nicholl said:
“This is a momentous day for the Belfast region. Thanks to cross-party political support, private sector backing and unprecedented levels of collaboration from all of the Belfast region partners, we’ve succeeded in securing this significant, long term commitment to transforming the NI economy in the sectors where we have the potential to become world leaders.
“The Deal comes at a critical time, as we work to help local businesses and communities recover from the effects of the Covid-19 pandemic.
“A decade of opportunity starts now.”
Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, Brandon Lewis said:
“The Belfast region is vibrant and exciting, bursting with potential. Today, with the signing of the Full Deal Agreement, we have reached a major milestone, unlocking £350 million of UK Government capital investment in digital and innovation projects. This funding will be matched by the Northern Ireland Executive.
“Built on a foundation of exceptional talent, creativity and innovation, it is no surprise that Belfast is already ranked in the top 25 Tech Cities in the world, and this funding, which will exceed £1billion, represents a significant opportunity for us to turbocharge the industries of tomorrow.
“The UK Government and NI Executive have each committed up to £350 million to the BRCD and the BRCD partners will contribute a further £150 million. By leveraging additional private sector investment, the partners will deliver a programme with an overall value well over £1 billion.”
First Minister Paul Givan said:
“It is, by any measure, a monumental investment when you look at the overall figures. But it is more than justified when you consider the outcomes.
“We’re funding the great potential that exists here, and the promise of a brighter, better tomorrow. As an Executive, we support the innovation and optimism which exists not just here in Belfast, but across the region. And we want to see Northern Ireland thrive.
“Our four City and Growth Deals will help to tackle regional imbalance and allow for additional regional regeneration. They will deliver a balanced spread of benefits across Northern Ireland, expanding connectivity and improving the lives of all our citizens.”
Deputy First Minister Michelle O’Neill said:
“City Deals are an investment in our future. The Executive is committed to realising the economic potential they offer and maximising the opportunities they present for all. “The Belfast Region City Deal will be truly transformative for the regional economy and for the people of the area. The scale of the investment reflects the enormous ambition, potential and capability, which is present throughout this whole region.
“Today’s milestone signing is a significant achievement for all the partners who have worked tirelessly to deliver this Deal and it is an excellent example of what can be achieved when we work together to co-design and co-deliver for the benefit of all our people.”
Minister for Finance Conor Murphy said:
“This £1 billion investment is a game changer for the north. The projects funded by this Deal will create thousands of jobs right across the region. Social value criteria will be used in the award of contracts delivering strong social and environmental benefits including Living Wage jobs.”
Chair of the Belfast Region City Deal Executive Board, Suzanne Wylie added:
“This once in a generation Deal simply couldn’t have been realised without the genuine common purpose and focus evidently demonstrated by all of the partners. When we pull in the same direction we achieve so much more. We’ve drawn on our collective expertise, resources and influence, we’re playing confidently to our regional strengths - and I think we’re spearheading a new way of public-private sector working which will make a really positive difference to people’s lives here.”
Heads of Terms for the Belfast Region City Deal were signed on 26 March 2019, committing the UK Government to investing £350 million. This has been matched by the Northern Ireland Executive. And with £150 million from Belfast Region City Deal partners and private sector investment, it is anticipated that the total Belfast Region City Deal investment package will exceed £1 billion.
The Belfast Region City Deal (BRCD) partners are: Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough Council, Ards and North Down Borough Council, Belfast City Council, Lisburn & Castlereagh City Council, Mid and East Antrim Borough Council, Newry, Mourne and Down District Council, Queen’s University Belfast, Ulster University, Belfast Metropolitan College, Northern Regional College, Southern Regional College and the South Eastern Regional College.
The BRCD projects are:
INNOVATION
AMIC – Advanced Manufacturing Innovation Centre – located in Newtownabbey, the springboard for manufacturing innovation in NI; a specialised environment for advanced manufacturing and engineering sectors to access the very latest manufacturing technology and Industry 4.0 smart automation, supported by experienced, professional engineers and a state-of-the-art Factory of the Future.
CDHT - Centre for Digital Healthcare Technology - a world-class space for academia, industry and clinicians to innovate and boost the productivity of the life and health sciences sector by accelerating the development of medical technology devices and diagnostics. Technology, Community and Clinical Living Labs will be based beside the Ulster University Belfast campus and at the Royal Victoria Hospital.
GII – Global Innovation Institute - a unique combination of expertise, combined with a ground-breaking partnership approach to delivering scalable computing solutions. GII aims to transform Northern Ireland’s digital economy by substantially increasing both the volume and range of digital innovation taking place within the region, and developing skill sets to meet industry needs, focusing on health and agri-food.
iREACH – Institute of Research Excellence for advanced clinical healthcare - iREACH will be an NHS, industry, and research facility, transforming the region’s ability to test new drugs, medical-technology, care pathways and societal interventions and leveraging opportunities that exist at the interface of medical research and digital transformation.
Studio Ulster (formerly Screen Media Innovation Lab - SMIL) - a large-scale Virtual Production studio complex to include world-class Virtual Production stages, fully supported by an integrated research, development and innovation centre of excellence in real-time and Virtual Production. Studio Ulster will drive a revolution in production pipelines across converging sectors with application in film, broadcast, commercial, animation, games, immersive and visual effects.
DIGITAL
The Belfast Region Innovation Challenge Fund – a £55 million fund to support an agile approach to addressing the emerging needs and unique characteristics of the region, designed to stimulate collaborative innovation and investment.
Enabling Infrastructure - £40 million of funding to invest in digital connectivity (including advanced wireless), data infrastructure and other enabling infrastructure to support the Belfast Smart District and wider regional innovation.
Regional Innovation Hubs - £30 million of investment will deliver a series of Innovation Hubs across the region, leveraging existing sectoral strengths including cleantech and creative industries to promote innovation activity and new business growth.
The i4C Innovation Centre at St Patrick’s Barracks regeneration site, Ballymena will be the first of these Hubs, providing a physical base and support to increase levels of SME innovation and commercialisation. It will also provide skills and training solutions in the cleantech sector, including the Hydrogen Training Academy.
BOOSTING TOURISM AND REGENERATING OUR REGION
Bangor Waterfront will reconnect the town with the sea through a range of attractions and experiences. The investment will provide high quality public spaces, a new Music Hub and will regenerate assets including Bangor Marina, Pickie Fun Park and watersports facilities at Ballyholme Yacht Club, enhancing the town and encouraging further investment.
Belfast Stories - a transformational anchor visitor attraction in Belfast will allow people to connect with the city and one another through stories, screen and social spaces. The experience will include a state-of-the-art multi-screen film centre and vibrant public spaces allowing for lively event programming and animation.
Destination Royal Hillsborough will further enhance Hillsborough Castle by restoring and developing the historic Courthouse and Fort and investing in the Forest. This will include opening a Social Enterprise Café and integrating and improving connections between these attractions and the wider village through improved public realm, to attract more visitors to this world-class heritage village.
Carrickfergus Regeneration Carrickfergus Regeneration will provide investment in Carrickfergus Castle, including its visitor hub and historic walls. Its connection to the town centre will regenerate, reposition and rebrand the town, placing it firmly on the map as an authentic, heritage-led tourism hub - a 'must visit' starting point to the Causeway Coastal Route.
The Gobbins Phase 2 - this exhilarating visitor attraction will be enhanced by the addition of a stunning staircase, an upgrade to the cliff top path - to include a new rope bridge that stretches across the coastline - and the development of a new Welcome Hub which will include augmented reality experiences.
The Mourne Mountains Gateway - will redefine visitors’ experience of the Mourne Mountains whilst supporting the sustainable growth of tourism and protecting the region’s natural heritage and habitat. The project will deliver a world class visitor attraction, and will create improved, more sustainable access to the Mournes.
Newry City Centre Regeneration - will deliver a civic hub, theatre and conferencing facilities which, together with new public realm and grade A office provision, will revitalise the city. The regeneration will also create and sustain jobs, increase visitor numbers, appeal to residents and stimulate the evening economy.
CONNECTING OUR REGION
Lagan Pedestrian and Cycle Bridge - will connect Belfast city centre with Ormeau Park, providing access to jobs, leisure space, services and opportunities for residents and visitors, contributing to the improved health and wellbeing of local communities.
Newry Southern Relief Road - will link the A1 bypass with the A2 Warrenpoint dual carriageway providing an alternative strategic route for traffic that reduces pressure on Newry city centre, facilitates onward travel to Dublin and improves access to other regional gateways.
Belfast Rapid Transit Phase 2 – the allocation of significant BRCD funding towards BRT2 is a positive step. If full funding can be secured, this project will extend this part of the public transport network, which will support improved access to health, education, leisure and job facilities and improve economic return across the region.
EMPLOYABILITY AND SKILLS
The BRCD partners will work together to align plans and resources in the following priority areas to help prepare an appropriately skilled workforce that can benefit from the employment opportunities that will emerge as a result of the BRCD’s transformative investments.
Skills for Growth: working with employers to align skills programmes and employment opportunities with the growth in sectors supported by BRCD; helping to create new apprenticeship pathways and fostering development of higher level skills;
Skills for Inclusion: creating opportunities to address skills imbalances and improve access to employment opportunities across the region through socially inclusive progression pathways.
Skills for a Digital Future: helping to build our digital literacy from grassroots up and enhancing the digital transformation of businesses across the region, with a specific focus upon smaller enterprises.
City Deals are bespoke packages of funding and decision-making powers negotiated between central government and local authorities.
The NI Executive and the UK Government have each committed up to £350 million to the BRCD and the six BRCD partner councils and university partners will contribute a further £150 million.
Regional Further Education colleges, working with councils, universities and industry, will support delivery of a complementary employability and skills programme to ensure that people gain the necessary skills to secure and deliver on the new and better paid jobs that will be created.
BRCD partners fully support all four of the City/ Growth Deals across NI and will work to ensure that they are complementary to one another.