Regeneration Sites Team
Background
In May 2002, the Reinvestment and Reform Initiative was launched by the then Prime Minister, Chancellor of the Exchequer and the First Minister and deputy First Minister. This groundbreaking initiative was intended to provide a new momentum for social and economic regeneration in Northern Ireland.
As part of the initiative, the Government agreed to transfer to the Executive, without charge, a number of former security sites, namely Crumlin Road Gaol, security bases at Malone Road, Belfast and Magherafelt; Ebrington Barracks in Londonderry; and the Maze Prison/Long Kesh site, near Lisburn.
In February 2010, as part of the Hillsborough Agreement a further three sites, St Lucia, Omagh, St Patricks, Ballymena,and Shackleton Barracks, Ballykelly were gifted to OFMDFM. Lisanelly Barracks was gifted, under the same Agreement, directly to the Department of Education.
Former military and security sites
The Reinvestment and Reform Initiative made provision for the free transfer, to the Executive, of six strategic military and security assets.
- Ebrington Barracks in Londonderry transferred to the Office of the First Minister and Deputy First Minister in December 2003 and is managed on their behalf by the OFMDFM/DSD owned Ilex Urban Regeneration Company Ltd
- The Crumlin Road Gaol transferred to OFMDFM in August 2003.
- The former Malone Road Army Barracks was sold in December 2003 for £3.397 million with the proceeds committed to the regeneration of the Crumlin Road Gaol.
- Transferred in April 2004, the former Maze Prison and the adjacent army base have combined to form the Maze Regeneration Site.
- The former Royal Irish Regiment base in Magherafelt has been offered to the North Eastern Education and Library Board to facilitate the relocation of the local Primary and Nursery schools and to provide other pre and after school provision. The transfer is expected to take place during 2005.
- St Lucia Barracks Omagh transferred to OFMDFM in April 2011
- St Patricks Barracks Ballymena transferred in April 2011.
- Lisanelly Barracks transferred to DE in April 2011.
- Shackleton Barracks Ballykelly transferred Oct 2011.
Maze / Long Kesh
The MLK Development Corporation Board was established on 10 September 2012 by OFMDFM to maximise the economic, historical and reconciliation potential of the Maze / Long Kesh Regeneration Site.
The MLK DC ia an executive non-departmental public body and its main objective is to secure the regeneration of the Maze / Long Kesh site.
The regeneration of the Maze / Long Kesh site is an Executive priority under the Programme for Government 2011 - 15 (Commitment no.15).
Regeneration Strategy
- The MLK Development Corporation is currently developing a site development plan which it hopes to publish by March 2013.
The first stage of development at MLK will see the relocation of the Royal Ulster Agricultural Society to the site in time for their 2013 Agricultural Show and the building of the Peace Building and Conflict Resolution Centre on site by 2015.
- Royal Ulster Agricultural Society
OFMDFM has signed Heads of Terms with the RUAS for the development of a site of up to 65 acres for the establishment of a Centre of Rural Excellence. RUAS will host the Balmoral Show on the site in May 2013.
- Peace Building and Conflict Resolution Centre
€20m (£18.1m) Peace lll funds have been secured to develop the Peace Building and Conflict Resolution Centre and an international design team has been appointed to develop and lead designs process up to construction phase by December 2015.
Interim Use Policy
Recent activities staged at MLK site:
- Ulster Aviation Society event marking the 70th anniversary of the arrival of US troops during WWll. The MLK airfield was for a short time the headquarters of the United States Air Force.
- A vintage car time trail rally organised by the Ulster Automobile Club.
- European Heritage Open Days September 2012 - The MLK regeneration site and listed buildings were open for public tours.
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