Work begins on community wellbeing centre on Lagan towpath at Ormeau

Work has begun on a a new community wellbeing centre beside the Lagan towpath at Lower Ormeau, South Belfast.

Shovels were lifted this week on an ambitious £2.9million redevelopment project, led by Belfast City Council aimed at improving community relations in south Belfast.

Once completed, the former Lockhouse will be reimagined into a community café, training and exhibition and good relations space situated along the Lagan Towpath at 13 River Terrace Belfast BT7. A community garden and men’s shed have already opened beside the Lockhouse.

Read more: Belfast city centre scores high for students and offices, but low for residents, stat's say

Elected members at the Belfast City Council Planning Committee approved the construction of the new community wellbeing centre and cafe in April 2023. The applicant is the Lower Ormeau Residents Action Group, of Balfour Avenue, Belfast.

Funding for the project comes from the Stormont Executive Office, Department for Communities, Department for Infrastructure and Belfast City Council.

The Lockhouse is beside Shaftesbury Recreation Centre, a large leisure complex with outdoor play facilities, St. John Youth Centre and St. Malachy’s Nursery School.

The site is adjacent to McConnell's lock, a listed monument. Stormont’s Historic Environment Division was consulted and indicated that a proposed balcony, which projected beyond the front façade of the building in the original design, had an impact on the monument. Amended plans were submitted with the balcony projection removed.

The plan has resulted in the loss of an area of open space due to the erection of the “man shed” and poly tunnels. However the council planning team said this outweighed by the “community benefit.”

There were no representations to the council from local residents and businesses regarding the application. One letter of support was received from a local public representative.

Deputy Lord Mayor of Belfast, Councillor Áine Groogan said: “The Lockhouse redevelopment and community garden will be fantastic community resources which will contribute to the ongoing regeneration of the area and support wider ambitious long-term plans to create a world class waterfront in Belfast.

“This section of the river will be transformed by this development and an exciting, complementary project to develop a water activity hub beside the Lockhouse at McConnell’s Lock – a project the council is delivering in partnership with Lower Ormeau Residents Action Group through our Neighbourhood Regeneration Fund.”

A spokesperson for Lower Ormeau Residents Action Group said: “LORAG welcomes the start of this exciting new development of a Healthy Living Hub within the Lower Ormeau. We thank those funders who have embraced our vision to improve health and wellbeing of the local community.

“The development will offer access to a fabulous building encompassing the old Lockhouse, transforming the house into a beautiful riverside café, fabulous conference room, alongside two multi-purpose spaces with access to the community garden and shed with panoramic views of the River Lagan and the Belfast old industrial skyline.”

For all the latest news, visit the Belfast Live homepage here and sign up to our daily newsletter here.