30/03/2010

University Funding Pledge Welcomed

The £250m development of a college campus in the heart of Belfast's Cathedral Quarter will boost the provinces "beleaguered" construction industry, a UUP Assemblyman has said.

David McClarty welcomed Employment Minister Sir Reg Empey's £16m Government commitment to the projects at the University of Ulster's former art college.

"As our party leader Sir Reg Empey said, this planned major development by the University of Ulster in York Street will be the biggest development the city centre has seen since the iconic Victoria Square," said Mr McClarty.

"The development will bring many benefits beyond the university and will be a welcome boost for our currently beleaguered construction industry.

"I believe that the expansion of the university in this particular quarter, demonstrates the University's commitment to make a major contribution to the economic, social and cultural vitality of the city."

The University of Ulster unveiled its plans for a major expansion of its Belfast campus last year which would mean the relocation of many courses from Jordanstown to Belfast.

The increased student numbers in the area will benefit Belfast economically and the expanded campus will play a role in the cultural life of the city, given its proximity to the Cathedral Quarter.

The overall development cost is in the region of £250m and the construction of the new campus in north Belfast should be complete by 2018.

(PR/BMCC)

Related Northern Ireland News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.

26 March 2010
Belfast Campus Project Will Build Jobs
There's a degree of success ahead for the beleaguered construction sector. In what is being billed as the biggest building project since Victoria Square was undertaken, a £250m development by the University of Ulster in York Street has been given the go-ahead.
08 February 2023
Student Accommodation Dominated Belfast Construction In 2022
New university buildings and student accommodation were the key drivers of construction activity in Belfast in 2022, according to the latest Regional Crane Survey from Deloitte's.
02 September 2022
Ulster University's New Belfast Campus Set To Open
The final phase of Ulster University's enhanced Belfast campus will open its doors to new and returning students and staff as the new academic year gets underway on 19 September.
07 March 2019
Student Mental Health Services Allocated £150k
Student mental health services in Belfast are set to benefit from a first of its kind pilot project worth £150,000.
04 February 2009
UU Unveils £250m Development Plans
One of Northern Ireland's universities has unveiled a £250m development plan, which will see the construction of a massive new capital city campus. The University of Ulster scheme is also set to create much-needed construction jobs for the local building sector.