With plans now being formulated for the regeneration of Ballyclare Town Centre, local retailers and residents are being urged to have their say with regards to the future of the town centre.

Substantial building construction contracts are expected to be created after the full consultation period and the planning process is resolved for the Co Antrim town.

The move has been well received by Dr William McCrea MP for South Antrim, who has welcomed the commencement of the consultation period on the regeneration proposals.

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These have come from the Department of Social Development - working in conjunction with the Borough Council - as well as the local Chamber of Trade and other major stakeholders.

Speaking about the announcement, Dr McCrea said: "The Department of Social Development's consultants have commenced a process with other major stakeholders that I hope will achieve the much needed regeneration of Ballyclare town centre.

"This is an excellent opportunity for the community to engage with government both at Stormont and Council level to ensure the essential development of Ballyclare is done is a manner that will benefit both local retailers and consumers.

"It is an opportunity to address the inadequate roads infrastructure in the town centre that has caused so much frustration to the travelling public and opens up the possibility of major investment from both private and public sources," he said, noting that he hoped that local residents see the value of such engagement at this early stage.

(BMcC/GK)