AQW 39897/22-27

Ms Paula Bradshaw
Alliance Party
South Belfast

Tabled Date: 05/02/2026
Answered On Date: 25/02/2026
Priority Written: No

Question:
To ask the First Minister and deputy First Minister for an update on the (i) business case; and (ii) projected costings, for the redevelopment of the former School of Music on Donegall Pass in Belfast, through the Urban Villages Initiative.

Answer:

Fitzroy Presbyterian Church plan to redevelop the derelict former School of Music building as an Arts and Creative Hub. The new build will provide studio accommodation for circa 20 visual, performing and mixed media artists, and will also provide a large room to run arts-based in-house learning programmes and events.

The business case for the project is at an advanced stage. A range of options have been developed to repurpose the building with the cost of the options ranging from c£1.7m up to £3.6m. Urban Villages has allocated an indicative capital contribution of £2m against the project and it is likely that the eventual preferred option will require a capital funding contribution from at least one partner funder. It is anticipated that the business case approval will be secured by May 2026.