Social Development Minister Margaret Ritchie has announced two further stages in the regeneration of Belfast City Centre today.

A masterplan to look at the regeneration needs of the South West Shopping Quarter, including the important Castle Street route, were revealed. She also said that a regeneration programme – reSTORE DC – which she had seen during her recent visit to Washington will be piloted in the Castle Street area.

"The reSTORE DC programme has been very successful in regenerating areas of Washington and I have asked my officials to develop a Northern Ireland version which will be piloted in Castle Street and other selected urban centres across Northern Ireland," Ms Ritchie said.

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"This is a very exciting programme which with the aid of targeted technical and funding assistance, aims to revitalise neighbourhood commercial districts and small businesses.

The Minister described Castle Street as a "key route" in the city centre, and praised the construction of Victoria Square, which is due to open in March 2008.

"The masterplanning exercise is an important stage of this process and will take forward our approach to the regeneration of the South West Quarter as set out in the DSD Regeneration Policy Statement published in 2004. It also builds on the £16 million investment in improving the streetscape in the area which I launched in June under the 'Belfast: Streets Ahead' programme."

Ms Ritchie also said the consultants who will carry out the masterplanning will be appointed during September 2007 and it is hoped to produce a draft for public consultation by March 2008.

The consultants will seek the views of statutory and private sector interests, particularly those who trade or have land holdings in the area. Residents including those who live in adjacent neighbourhoods will also be consulted.

(JM/SP)