Minister for Social Development, Nelson McCausland has announced the commencement of a public consultation for the transformation of Lisburn City Centre.

The significant public realm improvements aim to make over the main city centre streets and public spaces to high quality contemporary design standards.

Minister McCausland said: "This is an ambitious scheme which will significantly raise the quality of the environment in Lisburn City centre. The scheme will help to attract new business and leisure activities that will in turn diversify the city centre's economy and sustain activity outside traditional business hours. I feel it is vitally important that local communities actively participate in the consultation process and I encourage everyone to view the proposals for the city centre and let us know your opinion.

"We know from the success of public realm improvement schemes in other towns and cities that regeneration projects such as this can transform a place. They also provide employment in the construction sector, which in turn supports the wider economy. This investment in Lisburn is a fundamental part of our strategy to deliver the economic regeneration of our towns and city centres and ensures that they remain vital and viable for the future."

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The total cost of the Lisburn Public Realm scheme is estimated at approximately £4 million. This will be funded by contributions of up to £2,750,000 from the Department for Social Development and £1,250,000 from Lisburn City Council.

As recommended in the Lisburn City Centre Masterplan, which was published in September 2010, the project will create a high quality public realm in two priority areas of Lisburn city centre – Market Square and Bow Street with Haslem's Lane, Market Street and Graham Gardens to be included also.

The public consultation will run until Wednesday 30 May with the proposed plans being displayed in three locations across the city centre. They can be viewed at Lisburn City Library, Lagan Valley Island and at the offices of Lisburn City Centre Management on Market Square. It is also planned that the design consultants will be in attendance at the display in Lisburn City Library on two dates during the consultation period to give people an opportunity to discuss the plans and answer any further queries not apparent from the information boards. The planned dates for these two consultations are Thursday 26 April 2012 from 2.30pm to 6.30pm and Tuesday 1 May 2012 from 10.00am until 2.00pm.

(CD/GK)