Call for the Expression of Interest for the purchase of land at Barbour Gardens, Sloan Street, Lisburn

We are seeking Expressions of Interest from local developers for the purchase of the former Barbour Gardens site at Sloan Street, Lisburn for re-development and regeneration.

The site is located on Sloan Street with views over the River Lagan making it an excellent location for a housing development and/or mixed-use development, with generous amenity space next to the river. The property is adjacent to 11 Sloan Street, a derelict single storey former car showroom which is situated in the northwest corner fronting on to the bridge and the river. This property has planning permission for fourteen social housing apartments. Sloan Street Presbyterian Church also sits adjacent to the site. An opportunity exists to enter into an agreement with the church to provide a new community hall for the church together with a new vehicular entrance from Young Street.

We anticipate entering into a development agreement for the development of the land for the benefit of the council and the local community. The proposal must reflect the property’s prominent location as a gateway to the city and its proximity to the neighbouring church and river Lagan. It is expected that market value will be paid for the property in line with council policy and guidance from the Department for Communities. It will be the responsibility of the purchaser to address all statutory approval requirements through its’ application for planning permission and building control consent. 

Queries

Please contact Alan Gowdy, Estate Manager by email at alan.gowdy@lisburncastlereagh.gov.uk if you require any clarification. 

Closing date

Expressions of interest should be completed online by Friday 26th September 2025.  They will be submitted electronically to alan.gowdy@lisburncastlereagh.gov.uk and leeann.vincent@lisburncastlereagh.gov.uk 

Applicants should consider the council’s Corporate Plan and demonstrate how their proposal meets the objectives.

View our Corporate Plan on this link

While the council would encourage residential development on the site, it is preferred that mixed tenure living is a priority to provide cohesive and sustainable city centre community living.  A mixed tenure development of which a minimum of 50% should be private for sale or rent.  A minimum of 20% of the total units should be affordable housing offered to the social rented sector.

We have high expectations for the future development of this site and are keen to ensure that development will create a positive impact on the area from an economic development perspective.  As per our Lisburn City Centre Masterplan 2019-2023, the vision for Lisburn City Centre “is for a thriving, well connected and welcoming regional city centre with a vibrant and independent character”. 

All sections of the form must be completed and returned by the specified deadline. Any applications returned after the specified deadline or not fully completed will eliminate the submission from the process.

The council reserves the right to enter into negotiations with the successful third party or parties before deciding on its preferred course of action.

Submitted expressions of interest will be assessed by the council on a pass/fail basis against the criteria below.

The council’s land holding will be sold for full market value as determined by Land and Property Services. You should be aware that this land was last valued in June 2024 at £275,000.

To view the outline drawing of the land at Barbour Gardens as a PDF click here

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