St. Patrick's Barrack's veteran goes back '˜on parade' as future of site is explored

A veteran of St Patrick's Barracks has enjoyed a tour of his former base as the future of the site is now being explored.
By The Newsroom
Published 18th Apr 2016, 09:49 BST
Updated 18th Apr 2016, 09:50 BST
Mayor, Billy Ashe 'on parade' with Jim Peters from Broughshane who served over 20 years in the Royal Ulster Rifles at St Patrick's Barracks.Mayor, Billy Ashe 'on parade' with Jim Peters from Broughshane who served over 20 years in the Royal Ulster Rifles at St Patrick's Barracks.
Mayor, Billy Ashe 'on parade' with Jim Peters from Broughshane who served over 20 years in the Royal Ulster Rifles at St Patrick's Barracks.

On site tours have taken place to start the process to guide the future development of the Barracks.

Members of the public had their chance to see round the former barracks and submit their initial comments on the future of this major asset, being first briefed and then walked around the whole site by members of the consultancy team.

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But there was one visitor finding the experience especially poignant, a former Royal Ulster Rifles serviceman, Jim Peters, who comes from Broughshane.

There's a new dawn coming for St Patrick's Barracks as outlined by Andrew Haley The Paul Hogart Co (right) to one of the groups at the drop-in sessions and tours on site.There's a new dawn coming for St Patrick's Barracks as outlined by Andrew Haley The Paul Hogart Co (right) to one of the groups at the drop-in sessions and tours on site.
There's a new dawn coming for St Patrick's Barracks as outlined by Andrew Haley The Paul Hogart Co (right) to one of the groups at the drop-in sessions and tours on site.

He previously enjoyed more than two decades serving in St. Patrick’s Barracks – even meeting his wife nearby.

Mid and East Antrim Borough Council welcomed the fact that overall attendance at the ‘Drop-in’ sessions was good, especially so as most seemed to have taken the guided tours on offer.

The event allowed the local community to have their initial say with residents, business owners, community groups and anyone with an interest able to contribute their opinions and expectations.

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The comments received will be collated over the next week and will help inform the consultants about options for development and preferred uses. This will then be used to put forward proposals which will be subject to a full public consultation.

There's a new dawn coming for St Patrick's Barracks as outlined by Gavin Shivers, The Paul Hogart Co to Mayor, Billy Ashe ( right) with Aidan Donnelly, Head of Economic Development.There's a new dawn coming for St Patrick's Barracks as outlined by Gavin Shivers, The Paul Hogart Co to Mayor, Billy Ashe ( right) with Aidan Donnelly, Head of Economic Development.
There's a new dawn coming for St Patrick's Barracks as outlined by Gavin Shivers, The Paul Hogart Co to Mayor, Billy Ashe ( right) with Aidan Donnelly, Head of Economic Development.

The St Patrick’s Barracks site was acquired by the Department for Social Development (DSD) from the Office of the First and Deputy First Minister in September 2015. Since then DSD has been progressing the development with the support of Council as a strategic partner.

Related topics:Council