IAP draft plan unveiled

By John Roycroft and Rebecca Kelly

See special map of IAP area exclusive to theLiberty

The urban renewal plan that could regenerate the health of the south inner-city was unveiled last month. The Integrated Area Plan (IAP) was presented in its draft form to the City Council’s Inner-City Committee by Project Manager, Michael Stubbs.

In the long-awaited plan that could potentially be worth millions of pounds to the Liberties / Coombe area, details of a number of key designated areas are outlined.

One hundred sites in 23 target areas have been earmarked for development. Central to the plan are projects on Marrowbone Lane, Thomas St and the Liberty / Coombe relief route, as well as the promotion of a major new tourist route through the centre of the Liberties.

One of the more exciting projects included in the plan is the £6 million transformation of the Willis factory on Marrowbone Lane to a community sports complex.

Incentives for the LOTS scheme (Living Over The Shops) on Thomas St and Cornmarket are hoped to encourage local residents to remain within their community. Other urban renewal schemes have concentrated on providing commercial incentives to private businesses, to the detriment of the residents of the area. This scheme is different as it caters for community rather than commerce.

Street improvements on Christchurch, Thomas St and the Guinness Hopstore will be of great benefit to the proposed tourist route. This part of the plan will be funded by a combination of Corporation money and sponsorship from Guinness.

Mr Stubbs identified the major strengths of the area noting that "its rich heritage and strategic location makes it ideal for external investment". However he conceded that "poor image and social disadvantage had weakened the area over the years".