Browne hails Laganside regeneration programme

NIO minister Des Browne has heaped praised on the Laganside Corporation for its track record in promoting the regeneration of the River Lagan – a process which has seen up to 10,000 jobs created in the area.

The Minister was speaking during a visit to the Laganside Corporation’s offices at Clarendon Road in Belfast.

Mr Brown said: “A job creation figure in excess of 10,000 permanent positions and the provision of some 150,000 m² of office space along with some 500 housing units are impressive in themselves.

“Developments at Donegall Quay, Cathedral Quarter, Custom House Square and the development of the east bank of the river are all impressive on-going demonstrations of the confidence which exists in Northern Ireland today. Laganside Corporation can feel justly proud of its contribution to this confidence. It is vital that we all recognise that the challenge now is to complete the job so ably begun and to build the linkages to the local communities and to the city as a whole.”

Kyle Alexander, Laganside’s Chief Executive, affirmed: “It is the high quality of Laganside’s infrastructure-led approach that has paved the way for the impressive level of private sector investment in the area to date.”

The Laganside Corporation is a non-departmental executive body of the Department for Social Development and was formed under the Laganside Development (Northern Ireland) Order 1989.

The corporation’s remit is to regenerate the River Lagan and a designated area of adjacent lands and properties.

(GMcG)