£3million regeneration scheme for Portrush announced

Regeneration scheme launched to help prepare Portrush for the 2019 Irish Open

Communities Minister Paul Givan has launched a regeneration scheme specific to Portrush to help bring vacant, derelict or underused land and buildings in the town back into use ahead of The Open Championship in 2019.

Speaking during a visit to Royal Portrush Golf Club, the Minister confirmed that the Northern Ireland Executive had previously endorsed his Department’s significant regeneration plans for the town, subject to the usual business case approvals and a future budget settlement.　

The Urban Development Grant (UDG) scheme is one of the key regeneration measures that has been identified as being crucial to long term regeneration.

Leading the first meeting of a strategic working group to involve key Departments and Agencies that will be instrumental in preparing Portrush for The Open Golf Championship in 2019, Minister Givan said: "The planned Portrush Regeneration Programme will help to transform the town into a successful, high quality resort which will act as a centre for tourism in preparation for The Open Championship in July 2019.  The Open at Portrush will have an estimated audience of over half a billion people with an estimated 200,000 spectators expected to attend the event itself.  It therefore offers a great opportunity to promote Northern Ireland positively on a global scale.

"The planned regeneration works, led by my Department, will improve the infrastructure in Portrush.  It will enhance the appearance and appeal of the area and increase the attractiveness of the town and its surrounding area for members of the local community and visitors."

The Department previously announced £500,000 of funding to commence design work on two key projects: the public realm scheme and the train station redevelopment.

The Minister added:  "The scale and detail of the overall programme will be finalised once a budget outcome is known.  But in order to be ready for this, I am delighted to announce the opening of a £3million Portrush-specific Urban Development Grant Scheme today.  I am keen that we maximise the benefits The Open presents and ensure that we make every effort to invest in the infrastructure and built fabric of the resort, both in the run-up to the event and to create a legacy beyond.  I am confident that this scheme will help to enhance properties in the town centre, create jobs, attract private sector investment and improve the built environment."

An Urban Development Grant workshop will be held on 24 January 2017 at Portrush Town Hall from 2pm to 7pm.  It's to allow prospective applicants the opportunity to meet and ask Departmental officials about the scheme.