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23/02/2005
Belfast military base and observation post to be removed
A military base and observation post are to be closed in north Belfast following an assessment of the security situation in the area, Chief Constable Hugh Orde announced today.
The Girdwood military base, in North Belfast, is to close, while the military observation post at Oldpark police station is to be removed.
The Chief Constable said he was satisfied that there would be no reduction in the ability of the Army to provide support to the police and that the overall level of security in the area would not be reduced as a result of the decision.
Sinn Féin MLA for North Belfast, Gerry Kelly immediately welcomed the news.
“This is a welcome development and one that Sinn Féin have been pushing on in negotiations before December. Girdwood covers over 23 acres of land in North Belfast, an area that suffers significant multiple deprivation,” Mr Kelly said.
“The site should have been returned to the local community long ago in order to provide an area of substantial redevelopment.”
NIO Minister, Ian Pearson agreed with Mr Kelly’s economic assessment: “This is a key site which can unlock the potential for regeneration in North Belfast.
“It requires strategic management rather than piecemeal development which is why the Department for Social Development, will acquire the site. I want to assure everyone in the local area that they will be fully involved in discussions about how the site might be developed,” the Minister added.
The closure of Girdwood is expected to take between six and nine months to complete.
The work to remove the observation post at Oldpark will last approximately three weeks.
(MB/SP)
The Girdwood military base, in North Belfast, is to close, while the military observation post at Oldpark police station is to be removed.
The Chief Constable said he was satisfied that there would be no reduction in the ability of the Army to provide support to the police and that the overall level of security in the area would not be reduced as a result of the decision.
Sinn Féin MLA for North Belfast, Gerry Kelly immediately welcomed the news.
“This is a welcome development and one that Sinn Féin have been pushing on in negotiations before December. Girdwood covers over 23 acres of land in North Belfast, an area that suffers significant multiple deprivation,” Mr Kelly said.
“The site should have been returned to the local community long ago in order to provide an area of substantial redevelopment.”
NIO Minister, Ian Pearson agreed with Mr Kelly’s economic assessment: “This is a key site which can unlock the potential for regeneration in North Belfast.
“It requires strategic management rather than piecemeal development which is why the Department for Social Development, will acquire the site. I want to assure everyone in the local area that they will be fully involved in discussions about how the site might be developed,” the Minister added.
The closure of Girdwood is expected to take between six and nine months to complete.
The work to remove the observation post at Oldpark will last approximately three weeks.
(MB/SP)
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