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Ards and North Down Dereliction & Vacancy Study

Ards and North Down Borough Council have appointed McGarry Consulting to undertake a Vacancy & Dereliction Study in both the urban and rural areas of Ards and North Down. Please note a Vacancy & Dereliction study was conducted in 2025 for Newtownards Town Centre and Bangor City Centre.

The 2026 study will map out vacant and derelict units within each of the areas listed below* and identify appropriate strategies or interventions to stimulate economic growth, whilst exploring options for short-medium-long term use. Addressing vacancy and dereliction can lead to revitalised local economies. It has the potential to increase footfall, increase property values, and attract new businesses and residents. To help form the study, we would love to hear the thoughts and ideas from local people and local businesses. Please take 5-10 minutes to complete this survey to help shape the future of your town/village. All responses are anonymous.

*Urban - Comber, Donaghadee and Holywood
Rural - Ballygowan, Ballyhalbert, Ballywalter, Carrowdore, Cloughey, Conlig, Greyabbey, Groomsport, Helen's Bay & Crawfordsburn, Killinchy, Kircubbin, Lisbane & Lisbarnett, Millisle, Portavogie and Portaferry
1.Age
2.Gender
3.Village or Town
4.How do you rate the NUMBER of shops or business units within your town/village
5.Would you like to see MORE shops, businesses and commercial units within your town/village?
6.If your town/village needed MORE shops, businesses or commercial units where specifically do you think they should they go within the town/village?
7.How do you rate the NUMBER of VACANT or DERELICT shops or business units within your town/village
8.How would you tackle vacant & derelict properties generally across your town/village, and wider area?
9.Are there any particular VACANT OR DERELICT PROPERTIES within your town or village that you would love to see renovated/reimagined and re-opened, and what would you like to see it become?
10.If you identified a property or properties under Q9 above, please indicate who you think should take the lead in transforming the site/property; and who should be involved as a partner (NB more than one partner can be chosen)?
Lead
Partner
Property Owner
Private Investor
Local Council
Central Government (NI Executive)
Community Group
Other
11.Are there are any AREAS OF VACANT LAND within your town or village that you would like to see developed, improved or re-imagined?
12.If you identified a site or sites under Q11 above, please indicate who you think should take the lead in transforming the site; and who should be involved as a partner (NB more than one partner can be chosen)?
Lead
Partner
Property Owner
Private Investor
Local Council
Central Government (NI Executive)
Community Group
Other
13.Thanks for your time, we welcome any other thoughts you have on how to improve the 'High Street' and/or reduce the number of vacant or derelict units within your town/village, including any good examples you may know from elsewhere that might work within your town/village.