Last year the HLF approved Ballymoney Regeneration’s initial proposals to regenerate buildings within Ballymoney Conservation Area, and following 12 months of detailed development work the full award of grant has now been secured. Ballymoney THI will be officially launched in January 2013 and owners of THI eligible properties will then be invited to submit applications to the regeneration company.

The THI will focus on regenerating three key commercial areas of the town, Main Street, High Street and Victoria Street. Priority will be given to bringing back into sustainable use redundant or underused historic buildings to preserve the built heritage and breathe new life into the area. The scheme will run for five years and conclude in 2017.

The funding was awarded through HLF’s Townscape Heritage Initiative (THI) programme, which supports the regeneration of Conservation Areas that have suffered from serious social and economic decline. THI fosters effective partnerships between local organisations enabling repairs and other essential works in historic but often run-down areas bringing high streets back to life. The funding, integral to wider conservation and regeneration strategies, will also help stimulate employment opportunities, volunteer training and heritage days to help actively involve local residents in the project. To date, HLF has invested almost £200m regenerating towns that have suffered serious social and economic decline.

Commenting on the announcement, Head of HLF Northern Ireland, Paul Mullan, said: “This £1.29million investment is fantastic news for Ballymoney and we are delighted to be involved in supporting the restoration and preservation of the town’s built heritage. The THI scheme is a great way of using heritage as a springboard for regeneration and investment. We recognise the rich heritage in Ballymoney and look forward to the start of these projects.”

Welcoming the announcement the Chairperson of Ballymoney Regeneration Company, Mrs Winifred Mellett, said: “This award by HLF offers a splendid opportunity to re-invigorate the local economy whilst at the same time preserve the town’s enormously important and cherished built heritage”.

Council Development Chair, Alderman Bill Kennedy, commented: “This £1.29m grant from HLF towards the overall project costs of £2.5mM is a huge injection into our town. The scheme will act as a catalyst for further regeneration within the area, benefiting the local community, property owners, traders and visitors to our town.”

Further information

Liz Johnston, Ballymoney Regeneration Company, tel: 028 2766 0244, email: regeneration@ballymoney.gov.uk.