Pictured at the official announcement of the design team was (L-R) Mayor of Mid and East Antrim, Alderman Beth Adger MBE with Gerard Murray Director of Regional Development at Department for Communities (DfC); Minister for the Economy Conor Murphy; Michael Murray Director at WH Stephens and Jonathan McGrandle Acting Director of Development at Mid and East Antrim Borough Council.
The design team for the i4C Innovation and CleanTech Centre at St Patrick’s regeneration site in Ballymena has been appointed, moving the groundbreaking new £24m green energy innovation hub in Ballymena one step closer to reality - and marking Mid and East Antrim Borough Council’s commitment to supporting innovation and achieving Net Zero.
As part of the Belfast Region City Deal programme of investment, the centre will provide a physical base for businesses and will focus on the development of clean technology. The project is scheduled for completion in 2027.
Mayor of Mid and East Antrim Alderman Beth Adger MBE announced the appointment of multi-disciplinary construction consultancy, WH Stephens to lead on the design of the cutting-edge facility.
The Mayor said that progress on the i4C Innovation and Cleantech Centre is timely, as businesses continue to invest in skills and innovation to allow them to grow in increasingly competitive markets.
“The i4C Innovation and Cleantech Centre was developed to not only meet the needs of local entrepreneurs and businesses but also to attract potential new investors, developers and businesses to establish a base in the Borough,” she said.
“It will play a key role in cementing the Borough's reputation as a location for innovation and in driving and supporting the cleantech sector across Northern Ireland.”
CGI impression of the proposed new Leisure & Wellbeing Centre (left) the new the i4C Innovation and CleanTech Centre (middle), and the new NRC building (right bottom corner) at St Patrick’s regeneration site
Welcoming the milestone, Minister for the Economy, Conor Murphy, said:
"i4C is a groundbreaking initiative, supported through the Belfast Region City Deal, that along with other cleantech projects like the Hydrogen Training Academy and HyTech NI, represents a transformative investment opportunity for the region.
“These efforts will help cultivate a vibrant cluster of cleantech businesses which will drive job creation and boost productivity, key drivers within my economic vision for a sustainable future. The appointment of a design team is an exciting milestone and a significant step forward in this journey."
Michael Murray, Director of WH Stephens, expressed enthusiasm for the project:
“We are delighted to be appointed to lead the Integrated Consultancy Team for the i4C Innovation and Cleantech Centre. This project represents a significant opportunity to create a world-class facility that will foster innovation and drive the adoption of clean technologies. Our team is committed to delivering a design that not only meets the functional requirements of the centre but also embodies the principles of sustainability and innovation at the heart of this initiative.”
The Mayor added:
“The i4C Innovation and Cleantech Centre will play a crucial role in Northern Ireland's transition to net carbon zero by providing a range of accommodation types and programmes. These, in turn, will support businesses and entrepreneurs in their innovation and commercialisation efforts, with a particular focus on addressing the challenges of climate change.
“Development of the centre, alongside other cleantech initiatives such as Council's Hydrogen Training Academy and Hytech NI, highlights how we are primed for innovative green economic growth.”
Hytech NI aims to cement the Borough’s position at the forefront of clean energy innovation. A £20 million project, the Council has played a pivotal role in securing £15 million in public match funding for the initiative. Bringing together project partners Queen's University Belfast, Ulster University and other industry leaders, following business case approval, it will see the launch of a series of hydrogen economy testbed trials in Ballymena, focusing on heating, transport and skills training.
Complementing this, the Hydrogen Training Academy, in partnership with Northern Regional College, continues to deliver essential practical hydrogen training for industry, addressing the growing demand for skills in this cutting-edge sector.
The strategic location of the i4C Innovation and Cleantech Centre at the St Patrick's site in Ballymena forms part of a larger regeneration project led by the Department for Communities (DfC) and contributes to the Department’s wider regeneration objectives.
The mixed-use development at the site of the former Ministry of Defence Barracks is set to become a catalyst for inclusive growth, generating significant economic benefits once established.
In a collaborative approach to the project, Mid and East Antrim Council has been working closely with Invest NI and stakeholders across industry and academia, including Northern Regional College, AMIC and local enterprise agencies.
Additionally, the future appointment of a specialist contractor to run the i4C Innovation and Cleantech Centre and develop and deliver programming in the fields of SME innovation, cleantech and net zero will be key to the site's future.
The Belfast Region City Deal is a transformative investment programme exceeding £1 billion, aiming to support the creation of up to 20,000 jobs across the Belfast region.
The investment package includes funding for three key projects in Mid and East Antrim, namely the expansion of The Gobbins tourism attraction, the regeneration of the historic settlement of Carrickfergus and the development of the i4C Innovation and Cleantech Centre in Ballymena.
The ambitious i4C Innovation and Cleantech Centre initiative will directly deliver £400 million in Gross Value Added (GVA) on-site and within the region, connecting local people to new and better job opportunities. It represents a major collaborative effort between local councils, government departments and private sector partners to drive economic growth and improve the quality of life for residents.
For more information on the Belfast Region City Deal and the opportunities this programme of investment is creating, click here or here, and join in the conversation on X using #BRCityDeal