BCC Launches Consultation On North Inner City Redevelopment

A new consultation has been launched on the future development of the inner north west quadrant of the city centre.

Lunched by Belfast City Council, the area in question covers 17.2 hectares, or 42.4 acres of the city centre, and is bounded by Millfield/Carrick Hill to the northwest, College Street/Fountain Street/Fountain Lane to the south and Royal Avenue to the east.

The purpose of the masterplan would be to guide future development of an area of the city centre that is currently underdeveloped and in need of significant investment to ensure that coherent proposals come forward as part of a wider strategic development of the city. 

Launching the consultation, Councillor Mairead O'Donnell, Chair of the Council's City Growth and Regeneration Committee, said: "The inner north west is in need of significant investment to ensure coherent proposals come forward for the many vacant sites in the area. This part of the city will benefit from a more holistic consideration of the key issues such as transport, connectivity, the existing built heritage, mixed-use developments, residential accommodation and design. Additionally, the area needs to be developed to ensure improved linkages and connections with other parts of the city centre and adjacent neighbourhoods.

"This proposed masterplan fits with the Council's vision of transforming the entire area between Donegall Square and Donegall Street into a vibrant place to live, work, shop and relax across a series of mixed use neighbourhoods. The Ulster University's new campus, investment in student housing and the existing character of the area will provide a welcoming quarter embodied by creativity, innovation, culture, 24-hour activity and wellbeing in the heart of the city centre."

The masterplan seeks to create a new city centre mixed neighbourhood that:

• Incorporates a mix of uses, including residential, commercial, retail and leisure, through a strong public realm;

• Takes into account the heritage of the area and historic urban grain;

• Reinstates the historically vibrant economy of the area;

• Promotes city centre living; and 

• Delivers the ambitions of the Belfast Agenda.

An exhibition on the masterplan can be viewed at the Council's offices at the Cecil Ward Building in Linenhall Street during normal office hours from today (Tuesday 13 February) until Friday 13 April, and then at the Central Library from Monday 16 April until Tuesday 8 May.

The closing date for responses to the consultation is Tuesday 8 May.

(MH)