Plan for Neighbourhoods

In March 2025, the Deputy Prime Minister announced that the Government was launching its Plan for Neighbourhoods as a reflection of the Government's commitment to rebuild the UK and drive growth everywhere. Coleraine is one of the 75 towns which has been selected to receive funding under the project which will be delivered by the Coleraine Future Town Fund (CFTF) Neighbourhood Board.

Coleraine Future Town Fund Board

The Government has confirmed that Coleraine will receive in the region of £20M as part of the Government's Plan for Neighbourhoods Funding for projects that will be delivered over the next ten years.

The funding will be used for projects and interventions around three key themes:

• Thriving places
• Stronger communities
• Taking back control

Causeway Coast & Glens Borough Council will be the accountable body for managing and administrating the funding and has established a new CFTF Neighbourhood Board in line with Government guidance to coordinate a programme of community engagement and public consultation.

The CFTF Board is charged with the preparation of a Coleraine regeneration Plan - specifically a 10-year vision and a 4-year investment plan, and coordinating a programme of community engagement and public consultation.

At the heart of the funding and the development of the 10-year long-term vision and initial 4-year investment plan is the local community, and local people will be invited to have their say on what they see as key priorities for Coleraine and how the money should be spent. The 10-year vision and 4-year investment plan are required to be submitted to the Ministry for Housing, Communities and Local Government by winter 2025.

The CFTF Board has an independent chair and as per Government guideline representatives of the following are included on the Town Board:

• The Parliamentary representative (MP) for the area
• Elected representatives from the Council
• A senior representatives from the police
• Community partners (such as community groups and charities)
• Local businesses and social enterprises
• Cultural, arts, heritage and sports organisations
• Public agencies and anchor institutions (such as educational institutions)

Four operational sub groups have also been established and will support the CFTF Board to bring forward projects and ideas which reflect key community proprieties for Coleraine, The four sub groups are:

• Safety and Security
• High Street, Heritage and Regeneration
• Transport and Connectivity
• Community Engagement and Cohesion

There are a number of pre-approved project interventions across which the Plan for Neighbourhoods funding can be utilised:

• Regeneration, high streets and heritage
• Housing
• Work, productivity and skills
• Cohesion
• Health and wellbeing
• Transport
• Safety and security
• Education and opportunity

Engaging Communities

The Plan for Neighbourhoods places communities at the heart of the regeneration process. It outline that funding is invested in projects that matter to local communities when trust and social capital is built through investing time in directly engaging with communities.

The Coleraine Future Town Fund Board is currently developing the plans for how it will engage with the communities of Coleraine and ensure that the voices of local people are central to how this funding will be invested in Coleraine. An extensive programme of community engagement will take place over the next few months.

See Link Below for further information on the Plan for Neighbourhoods programme:

Plan for Neighbourhoods: prospectus - GOV.UK