Issues and SWOT

strength

The playpark programme names completed sites

Fisherwick, Oakfield and Bardic Drive were refurbished by March 2026.

Proposed response: Keep the completed equipment available and accessible.

Evidence

strength

Make room for homes people can afford

The average home price is £177,000 (July 2026) in Mid and East Antrim council area. This is about £25,000 lower than the Northern Ireland average for the same month. Homes rented privately ranged from 5.9% in Burleigh Hill to 37.7% in Castle Demesne — a gap of 31.8 percentage points.

Housing costs matter most alongside earnings and the number of affordable homes available. A local average cannot tell us whether a particular household can afford its home.

strength

Bring support closer to people in poor health

7.3% of people reported bad or very bad health in Mid and East Antrim council area (21 March 2021). Across Northern Ireland, the figure was 7.7%. People reporting bad or very bad health ranged from 4% in Maine to 12% in Castle — a gap of 7.9 percentage points.

This is how residents described their health in the census. It can reveal differences between neighbourhoods, but does not diagnose illness or measure current waiting times. Age profiles differ between places, so these shares do not measure service quality.

weakness

Carrickfergus plans still need delivery decisions

The reviewed event concerns detailed designs and feedback.

Proposed response: Show how comments change the buildable scheme.

Evidence

opportunity

Connect heritage sites with everyday routes

The Carrickfergus design includes links between the harbour, castle and centre.

Proposed response: Make those links work for residents as well as visitors.

Evidence

opportunity

Plan homes and care around an older population

19.7% of people in Mid and East Antrim council area were aged 65 or over (21 March 2021). People aged 65 or over ranged from 11.3% in Kilroot to 32.3% in Park — a gap of 21 percentage points.

Age alone does not mean poor health or a need for care. Accessible homes, reliable transport and support close to home matter as people get older.

opportunity

Connect local skills to local opportunities

28.8% of people aged 16 or over had a degree or equivalent (21 March 2021) in Mid and East Antrim council area. Across Northern Ireland, the figure was 32.1%. People aged 16+ with no qualifications ranged from 11.4% in Greenisland to 45.3% in Castle Demesne — a gap of 33.9 percentage points.

Qualifications show one part of the skills available locally. They do not show whether people have secure jobs or work that uses those skills.

opportunity

Target safety work where problems repeat

Mapped police records are available for neighbourhoods in Mid and East Antrim council area.

Published locations are approximate and some crimes are not mapped. Counts show recorded incidents, not the chance of an individual becoming a victim.

opportunity

Turn published plans into visible progress

3 named local projects or plans have official evidence in this collection.

A published plan makes responsibilities and intentions easier to inspect. It does not prove that funding is secured or that promised benefits have arrived.

threat

Park construction still has a future finish

Carnfunnock’s year-end review expects completion in spring 2027.

Proposed response: Keep actual progress, safe access and operating readiness visible.

Evidence