Communities Minister Gordon Lyons has welcomed the launch of 'Shankill: A Plan to Grow', a new strategic initiative designed to support the long-term development of the Greater Shankill area in Belfast.

The plan is the result of a collaborative effort involving local residents, community groups, and statutory agencies, including the Department for Communities, Belfast City Council, and the Northern Ireland Housing Executive.

The project utilised the Ministerial Advisory Group (MAG) Living Highstreets Craft Kit to ensure the plan was community-led, giving local people a direct voice in shaping their physical environment. This work builds upon the foundation laid by the 'BUILD' group (Better Understanding in Local Development), a collective of community leaders focused on addressing physical dereliction and campaigning for new housing and community facilities.

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Following the creation of the plan, members of BUILD now lead a 'Local Action Group' tasked with delivering the specific actions identified in the report.

Minister Lyons commented: "I am pleased my department has supported the delivery of the Shankill: A Plan to Grow. This is a genuine community-led approach to placemaking, ensuring that local people are at the heart of shaping change in their area. With strong community leadership, committed partners, and a clear vision for the future, the Greater Shankill is well positioned to build a more sustainable, resilient and thriving community."

Billy Drummond from the Shankill Local Action Group highlighted the importance of the milestone, stating: "The Shankill Plan Grow report is a key milestone for BUILD Shankill in lobbying for physical regeneration and investment in the Greater Shankill. Through the DfC CraftKit process we have consulted extensively across all our neighbourhoods to inform this community led Plan. The essential part of any plan is delivery, and we look forward to our continued work with statutory partners to address the challenges and seize the opportunities that this plan sets out."

Belfast Lord Mayor Councillor Tracy Kelly praised the partnership approach, noting the plan's potential to improve residents' quality of life. Grainia Long, Chief Executive of the Housing Executive, also lauded the collaboration, describing it as an inspiring model for future community development work.

Shankill: A Plan to Grow can be found here.