Across Northern Ireland, there is no shortage of strategies, consultations, and regeneration plans. Yet too often, communities are left asking the same question: what happens next? The recently launched Greater Shankill Plan to Grow offers a timely opportunity to shift that narrative - from planning to meaningful, visible action. At the heart of this transition sits the BUILD Shankill project, a community-led initiative supported by NI Alternatives, working to ensure that regeneration is not only delivered for communities but shaped by them.

The development of the Plan to Grow itself reflects the importance of strong partnerships in shaping meaningful regeneration. The document was developed by Carlin Planning, with support from the Department for Communities (DfC), bringing both professional planning expertise and statutory backing to the vision. This was further strengthened by Queen’s University Belfast’s grid square data analysis of the Greater Shankill, which provided a valuable evidence base to understand the scale and distribution of dereliction and land opportunities across the area. Together, these partnerships have helped create a plan that is both ambitious and rooted in data, place, and community need.

BUILD Shankill itself emerged as a direct response to one of the most visible and pressing issues within the area: dereliction and waste sites across the Greater Shankill. These spaces are not just physical gaps in the landscape, they represent missed opportunities, long-standing neglect, and the consequences of regeneration that has not fully materialised. Current figures suggest there are over 80 sites of vacant and derelict land across the Greater Shankill, equating to more than 60 football pitches worth of space, with the potential to deliver up to 3,300 homes. In a context where housing demand continues to rise, this is not just a statistic- it is a call to action.

The Plan to Grow sets out an ambitious, long-term vision for the Greater Shankill area, one that focuses on economic development, physical regeneration, employability, and community wellbeing. It acknowledges both the structural challenges facing the area and the untapped potential within it. However, like many strategic frameworks, its success will ultimately depend on how effectively it is implemented on the ground. This is where BUILD Shankill becomes particularly significant.

From consultation to co-creation

A common criticism of regeneration efforts is that they rely heavily on consultation, but fall short of genuine co-creation. Communities are asked for their views, yet rarely see how those views translate into action. BUILD Shankill challenges this model by actively involving local people in understanding, interrogating, and contributing to the future of their own area.

Through workshops, site visits, and interactive sessions, participants engage directly with the key themes of the Plan to Grow. Rather than passively receiving information, they are encouraged to critically assess it, asking questions such as: What does regeneration actually look like here? Who benefits? What is missing? This process not only builds knowledge but fosters a sense of ownership and agency among local people who are often excluded from policy conversations.

In doing so, BUILD Shankill bridges a crucial gap between high-level strategy and lived experience. It recognises that those who grow up in a community hold valuable insights into its needs, challenges, and opportunities, and that these insights should inform decision-making at every stage. At its core is a simple but powerful belief: every generation deserves regeneration. Not as a promise for the future, but as a reality in the present.

Reimagining space and opportunity

One of the most tangible aspects of BUILD Shankill is its focus on physical space, particularly derelict and underutilised sites across the Greater Shankill. These spaces, often seen as symbols of neglect or stagnation, are reframed as opportunities for innovation and community benefit.

Participants are invited to explore real sites within their local area, assessing both their limitations and potential. They develop ideas for how these spaces could be transformed whether into affordable housing, community hubs, social enterprises, or mixed-use developments that generate both economic and social value. This exercise is not simply theoretical. It encourages individuals to think practically about regeneration: considering factors such as feasibility, sustainability, revenue generation, and community impact. It also highlights the complex trade-offs involved in development, moving beyond idealism towards informed, realistic solutions.

Importantly, this approach directly responds to the scale of opportunity highlighted by dereliction statistics. When communities stand in front of a vacant site and begin to reimagine its purpose, the conversation shifts from what is wrong to what is possible. In this way, BUILD Shankill transforms data into dialogue, and dialogue into potential action.

The importance of implementation

While the Plan to Grow provides a strong strategic foundation, its impact will ultimately be judged by its implementation. Too often, well-intentioned plans fail to translate into tangible outcomes due to a lack of coordination, resources, or community engagement.

BUILD Shankill offers a model for how this gap can be addressed. By embedding participation, education, and local insight into the implementation process, it helps to create a more inclusive and responsive approach to regeneration. It also provides a platform for ongoing dialogue between communities, policymakers, and statutory agencies, ensuring that plans remain dynamic and adaptable.

However, for this approach to succeed, it must be supported and sustained. This means investing not only in physical infrastructure, but in the people and processes that enable meaningful participation. It also requires a commitment from all stakeholders to listen, collaborate, and act on the insights generated through initiatives like BUILD Shankill.

Looking ahead

The future of the Greater Shankill will not be determined by strategy documents alone. It will be shaped by the collective efforts of those who live, work, and invest in the area, and by the extent to which their voices are heard and valued.

BUILD Shankill demonstrates what is possible when communities are given the tools, space, and support to engage with these conversations. It shows that regeneration can be more than a top-down process; it can be a shared endeavour that reflects the aspirations and realities of the community.

As the Plan to Grow moves into its next phase, there is a clear opportunity to build on this momentum. By continuing to prioritise participation, embracing innovative approaches, and maintaining a focus on delivery, the Greater Shankill can move beyond planning towards lasting, meaningful change.

The challenge now is not to create more plans, but to ensure that this one is realised through action, collaboration, and a genuine commitment to community-led regeneration.

Billy Drummond, BUILD Shankill.

Billy is the Manager of Greater Shankill Alternatives and leads the BUILD Project, a community-driven initiative focused on transforming derelict and vacant land across the Greater Shankill area. With extensive experience in community development and restorative practices, Billy has supported individuals, strengthened local partnerships, and contributed to innovative approaches to regeneration.

The BUILD Shankill project has become a strong voice for local residents, advocating for sustainable development, increased housing opportunities, and the meaningful use of underutilised spaces. Billy is passionate about empowering communities to shape their own future and is committed to ensuring that regeneration is inclusive, practical, and rooted in the needs of the people it serves. People can access a copy of the full Greater Shankill Plan to Grow document to read via our website here.