Odyssey Redevelopment Plan Unveiled

Plans to integrate Belfast's Odyssey entertainment complex with the city centre and emerging Titanic quarter have been made public.

Developers have spend two years working on the designs, which have now been submitted as an outline planning application.

Proposals include the construction of a new hotel, a residential riverfront tower and promenade.

As well as a new civic plaza in front of the Odyssey, expanded car parking facilities, and new gardens and play areas.

The Odyssey Trust held an extensive competition to find the best architects to draw up the plans.

Dublin headquartered architects HJ Lyons was later chosen to work with Belfast based planning consultants, Turley Associates, to create the master plan.

Chairman Alan Gibson said the Odyssey Trust is now looking to secure and enhance its future by ensuring the site area under its control is "used to its best potential".

Chief Executive Robert Fitzpatrick said: "After much creative and innovative work, we have submitted a master plan that begins to articulate our vision for the future.

"While it would be easy to fear the impact of the current recession, we believe there is a bright future for the Odyssey."

He said the Belfast complex must work to compete with Dublin's newly developed O2 arena.

Mr Fitzpatrick said the creation of the new Belfast Rapid Tansit system close to the Odyssey shows what an important location the complex commands.

"We believe it is prudent now to add the elements that are missing from our existing offer – providing high quality opportunities to live, stay and work."

Odyssey Operations Director, Brian Hughes said the "relatively isolated" complex will eventually be more accessible, and offer a "multi-use 24 hour environment".

"The addition of these new developments alongside a new transport system and the growth of the city centre can make the Odyssey a more sustainable and improved asset for the people of Northern Ireland."

(PR/BMcC)