Antrim and Newtownabbey councillors have approved the second phase of a £1.45m ‘Living over the Shops’ scheme which will be extended to Ballyclare and Randalstown.
The borough council’s Living over the Shops scheme provides grant support for business owners to renovate vacant or under-utilised upper floor space within its town centres for residential use.
The local authority is seeking to increase footfall, business investment and vibrancy and aid the growth of an evening economy as well as reducing the number of vacant premises and increasing housing stock.
It is also anticipated that it may reduce anti-social behaviour in town centres.
Thirty-six expressions of interest were received for the first phase. Of these almost one third were in Antrim town centre where the pilot was then focused. Nine were in Randalstown; four in Ballyclare; two in Glengormley; two in Crumlin and another outside a town centre.
In Antrim, four proposed projects have been recommended to proceed, involving properties at High Street and Market Square. Nine one-bedroom and six two-bedroom apartments have been proposed at an expected cost to the council of £460k.
Grants cover up to 75 per cent of improvements costs for each property. One has progressed to planning application stage.
Phase three will be centred on Glengormley and Crumlin town centres.
Commenting on the scheme previously, the Mayor of Antrim and Newtownabbey, Alliance Councillor Neil Kelly, said:
“This initiative is a crucial step towards revitalising our town centres and supporting local businesses.”
The second phase of the Living above the Shops scheme was approved behind closed doors at a meeting of the council’s Economic Development Committee in September.