Plans to develop Royal Hillsborough as a world class heritage village are due to take a step forward
Major plans to develop Royal Hillsborough as a world class heritage village are due for significant progress in the new year.
Lisburn and Castlereagh City Council’s regeneration and growth committee was told that the tender process for a public realm scheme will be launched in the coming weeks.
However, regeneration of the streets which will form part of the £26m Destination Royal Hillsborough development, due to begin in 2024 could take until 2027 for construction to begin.
Councillor Caleb McCready said: “I welcome the regeneration of Royal Hillsborough, it has been called for some time and is long overdue."
The council is due to draw down £20 million funding from the Belfast Region City Deal (BCRD).
A council report states, additional funding of £4.25 million the council and £1.75 million from the Historic Royal Palaces has also been ring fenced to generate a ‘world class heritage village’ to attract tourists to the area.
In late 2022, the local authority undertook a 12 week public consultation on the Royal Hillsborough Public Realm.
A BCRD report in 2023 had identified the work to begin in January 2024 with a completion date of September 2027.
Destination Royal Hillsborough will include a major public realm scheme to improve connections and access to the castle, forest and fort.
Additional parking infrastructure will also be developed to accommodate increased visitor numbers and traffic.
A council director responded: “We are confident of the plans with the programme board and we should have the public realm plans out to tender in the new year, though a contract of offer would be more likely for January 2027.”