Work to demolish most of the properties to prepare St Patrick's Barracks in Ballymena for its future regeneration is to get begin.

The Sandhurst and York buildings will not be demolished, instead they will be used for civic and community purposes along with the parade ground which will be used as an open shared space.

The Department for Communities has appointed Deane Public Works Ltd to undertake the demolition works which are due to be completed by the end of June 2018.

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Damian Mulholland, Director of the Regional Development Office at the Department for Communities said: "Excellent progress is being made on the redevelopment of St Patrick's Barracks. In an important first step, demolition work will shortly be getting underway to prepare the site and in the coming days the Department will be submitting planning applications for development use and access roads.

"Subject to planning and other statutory approvals, the site will see significant investment in the town and will result in a mixed tenure/shared housing scheme along with leisure, civic and community space."

(CD)