Millisle Lagoon

Ards and North Down Borough Council was awarded £2,217,000 under the Covid-19 Small Settlements Programme (CSSP), which aims to address long standing issues in small settlements.  It supports projects that attract investors and visitors, and create vital and viable villages that meet the needs of local citizens and the surrounding areas. 

CONCEPT DESIGN, MILLISLE LAGOON ENVIRONMENTAL IMPROVEMENT SCHEME  

The Lagoon has been identified as a priority project within the Millisle Village Masterplan. The Council appointed design consultants, AECOM, to develop a 'concept design'. 

Given the size and nature of the site, the concept design will require development via a phased approach to enable projects to be identified that can be delivered quickly under Council's Permitted Development rights, and therefore be 'oven ready' if funding were to become available.   

The concept design includes improved access to the beach, floating pontoons to allow access for Watersports, tiered amenity space, beach huts/ kiosks, shower/ toilet facilities, seating, planting, and lighting. 

A public information session took place on the 18 October 2023, where a presentation was delivered by AECOM, followed by the opportunity to ask any questions.   Minor design changes were made following feedback from this public meeting and the plan is now ready for a planning application to be lodged. 

Find out more by downloading the design board for the project:  Millisle Lagoon Concept Design (PDF) [476KB](opens new window)

The CSSP is a collaboration between the Department for Communities (DfC), Department for Infrastructure (DfI) and the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA), working closely with local governments to identify priority projects in rural areas.