Town masterplan to be launched next Wednesday

Larne Borough Council will host the event on Wednesday (June 2) at the tourist information office, where the blueprint for future development was first put on view last December as part of a public consultation exercise.

The 200,000 document commissioned by the Department for Social Development, which is a year late, suggests the future shape of regeneration in Larne.

Prime sites identified for development are at Riverdale, Circular Road, Dunluce Street, Inver Park, Pound Street and empty spaces on Main Street.

It also seeks to encourage waterfront development along the Redlands lagoon, including the introduction of watersports.

And the DSD hopes Larne will in the future be in a position to brand itself as Northern Ireland’s first eco-town by tapping in to latent geothermal energy, building a community wind farm, exploring new recycling initiatives and making the most of the town’s south-facing aspect to make optimum use of solar power.

An eco-themed visitor centre fronting on to the Redlands lagoon was also mooted in the draft put out to public consultation.