Alleygates and alleyways

Alleyway transformation

Belfast has been selected as one of only 24 cities worldwide to receive $1 million (approximately £750,000) through the Bloomberg Philanthropies Mayors Challenge 2025 - 2026, supporting an ambitious programme to transform how the council and neighbourhoods work together to manage and improve the network of alleyways across the city.

The funding will support council to redesign a core service using innovative, community-driven approaches and use these public spaces as a testbed for a new, scalable model of community service delivery. 

Many homes in Belfast share alleyways that could be improved and better used.

We work with local residents and community groups to help improve these spaces. With agreement from neighbours, alleyways can be transformed into cleaner, greener and more welcoming places for people who live nearby.

This could include:

• community gardens or growing spaces
• planting areas for wildlife
• quiet seating areas
• safe play spaces for children, or
• planting, artwork or other improvements.

Step 1: How to transform your alleyway

Speak with the residents who share the alleyway to discuss ideas and agree what changes you would like to make.

Not everyone needs to take part, but agreement from neighbours who use the space is important.

All access rights must be kept clear at all times.

Step 2: Contact us

Email [email protected] to express an interest.

You should include:

• the location of the alleyway
• confirmation that you have spoken to local residents; do they agree, what did they say?
• photos of the alleyway (if available).

We will arrange a site visit to assess whether the alleyway is suitable and discuss what work may be involved.

Step 3: Organise a clean-up

You may wish to begin with a community clean-up.

We can support this by providing equipment such as litter pickers, gloves, brushes, shovels and bags, free of charge.

• Find out more about community clean-ups

You should know:

• only bagged waste will be collected
• large items must be arranged through our free bulky waste collection service.

Step 4: Improve the space

Work together to decide how the alleyway will be used, for example for growing, planting, seating or play.

When making improvements, access rights must always be maintained.

Step 5: Share your project

If you would like your project to be shared as an example of good practice, email [email protected] with a short summary and photos.

Related services

• Fly-tipping and street cleaning
• Bin collections
• Allotments and community gardens

For all other enquiries about alleyway transformation, email [email protected].

Alleygates in Belfast

Alleygates help to reduce antisocial behaviour, burglaries and fear of crime in areas of Belfast where they have been installed. As well as making neighbourhoods feel safer, they're also helping to build a cleaner environment.

For more information about alleygates call 028 9027 0469 or email [email protected].