Take Back the City, a coalition of homeless families, will host pre-application community engagement events on 10 September displaying plans for the Mackie’s site which includes provision for 500 plus dwellings, as well as local businesses.

Amidst a deepening housing crisis, where the need for adequate shelter has become a pressing human rights issue, Take Back the City campaigners have developed a master-plan to address the chronic shortage of affordable housing in Belfast. The proposed development at Mackie’s is poised to deliver a significant boost to the local community, offering a blend of residential, commercial and community spaces. It is the first time that a campaign group of homeless families has made a pre-application to the planning process.

As part of the pre-application process, the public is encouraged to attend one of two information sessions which will be hosted by Take Back the City at Forthspring Inter Community Group on Belfast’s Springfield Road, on Tuesday 10 September, at 10am and 6.00pm. Alternatively, people are welcome to drop in throughout the day. Local residents, homeless families and anyone interested in the innovative plans for the Mackie’s site will be welcome to participate in a discussion about the ambitious new vision for the Mackie’s site and explore the impressive plans while voicing their opinion on the proposals.

Matthew Lloyd of Matthew Lloyd Architects, who created the plans following a prestigious international competition, will deliver a presentation on the proposals for the site which are aimed at significantly transforming the area. Throughout the day, campaigners and members of the development team will be on hand to answer questions and interested parties will have opportunity to share their feedback by completing a survey. The plans are available for everyone to view online at www.takebackthecity.ie.

The proposals for the Mackie’s site on Springfield Road comprise a mixed use housing led development to be constructed in several phases, incorporating at least 18,000+ square metres of employment floorspace, 2,000 square metres of community floorspace, 2,000 square metres of local shopping, a city farm, allotments, over 500+ dwellings in a mix of types and sizes including apartments and town houses and in a mix of tenures, up to 70 co-living units and up to 25 co-housing units, public open space in a variety of forms and a footbridge across the Forth River ravine with access from Springfield Road, Woodvale Avenue, Circular Road West and Ballygomartin Road and provision of hydro-electric energy and water-source heat generation in the Forth River.

Speaking of the plans and the pre-application to Belfast City Council, Marissa McMahon, Take Back the City, emphasised the importance of the public participation in shaping the future of the site. Marissa said: “This is the first time a campaign group of homeless families has made a pre-application of this kind to Belfast City Council. Families are tired of waiting for things to change so they have developed their own solutions for homes and businesses. Our plan for Mackie’s offers a unique opportunity to breathe new life into an area which has been neglected for far too long. We would urge people to engage with us during these sessions next month, as their feedback is crucial in shaping a space that reflects our collective vision for a vibrant, inclusive and sustainable Belfast of the future. We have already knocked on hundreds of doors in the local area to talk to residents about their views on the plan and what we need to see now is the determination and effort shown by homeless families matched by our local decision makers.”

Matthew Lloyd of Matthew Lloyd Architects London highlighted the collaborative spirit of the project. He said: “We are very excited by this project’s potential, to create a fully integrated community that aligns to Belfast City Council’s goals and those of the Department for Communities and Invest NI. It is more than just a housing solution. As we nearer completion of the public consultation we are looking forward to meeting with local people next month as their input will be instrumental in refining our final submission to Belfast City Council.”

The site, which has been largely vacant for over 20 years, is controlled by multiple owners, including Invest NI, Belfast City Council, Braidwater Homes and The Department for Communities – which has overall responsibility for housing policy. It is situated in an area with some of the highest poverty levels, unemployment rates and homelessness in Belfast.

Take Back the City Consultation Day, 10 September from 10am to 8pm at Forthspring Inter Community Group, 373 Springfield Road, Belfast, BT15 7DG. Refreshments will be served at both information sessions at 10am and 6pm and members of the public will be welcome to drop in throughout the day.