The future of Lisburn city centre has been outlined in a newly refreshed Masterplan for the area.

Launched by Lisburn & Castlereagh City Council, the Masterplan sets out a vision designed to ensure that Lisburn plays a more significant role within the region and develops the range of facilities and attractions expected of a regionally significant city.

This new masterplan, an update on a previous version in 2010, recognises that the future wellbeing and resilience of the city centre requires partnership working across government departments, local businesses and community groups, as well as new businesses and investors.

Alderman Allan Ewart MBE, Chairman of the council's Development Committee commented: "Since 2010 there has been progress made on many of the projects outlined in the masterplan. This includes the delivery of the city centre Public Realm Scheme and progress towards the comprehensive redevelopment of the Laganbank Quarter. The council is also mindful it is important to review the strategic context of the plan alongside the development of a new Community Plan and the emerging Lisburn Castlereagh Local Development Plan.

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"The revised masterplan for Lisburn city centre aims to be aspirational yet deliverable. Through consultation the private sector have emphasised the importance of bringing opportunities to the market in bite size chunks and the revised masterplan sets the framework for development but allows flexibility for sites to be delivered individually. There are several key areas that, when regenerated will have a real impact on Lisburn city centre. The masterplan includes revised proposals for the Laganbank Quarter, Smithfield Square and other key sites. In addition it is proposed to improve, where possible, the streets and public realm that connect these opportunity sites, so that the areas of change read as a coherent whole."

Paul Carr from the Department for Communities added: "I am pleased the review of the Lisburn City Centre Masterplan has been completed. This revised document will help the council and the Department for Communities to focus resources on key areas to further regenerate Lisburn City Centre. I look forward to working closely with Lisburn & Castlereagh City Council to deliver new projects which will help with the continued regeneration of Lisburn City Centre."

(CM/MH)