Menu
29/10/2010
Royal Exchange To Boost Belfast North
Fears that the multi-million pound redevelopment of a run-down part of Belfast city centre had been shelved have again been refuted this week with news that a planning application has been submitted.
The application came five years after the Royal Exchange project was announced.
In May this year, Belfast City Council voiced its concern at reports that plans might be delayed, as at the time, detailed plans for the £360m regeneration scheme were still due to be lodged with planners.
It aims to redevelop an area between Royal Avenue and the Cathedral Quarter on the northern side of the city centre.
The company behind the plan, Leaside Investments, is a consortium of two Northern Ireland firms William Ewart and Snoddons and a Dutch firm ING.
The Royal Exchange Scheme was first announced by the government in 2006 with the aim to regenerate run down and semi derelict parts of Belfast city centre.
The area between Donegall Street and Royal Avenue takes in the historic North Street arcade which was burnt down in 2004.
The listed building has not been touched since and there has been criticism that the project has not moved quickly enough.
The plans for the development include more than 200 apartments, a hotel, an arts centre, car parks and retail units.
Developers have signed an agreement with the Department of Social Development which will mean the scheme will receive some public funding.
Social Development Minister Alex Attwood welcomed the lodging of the planning application.
"I would encourage all stakeholders and the general public to provide their views on the application as it proceeds through planning," Mr Attwood said.
Back in May, Councillor William Humphrey, Chairman of the Belfast Council's Development Committee, said he was alarmed at suggestions that the funding which had been made available for the Royal Exchange Regeneration Scheme has been 'surrendered' by DSD and the project is 'not likely to progress' in the timescale originally indicated.
Sinn Féin MLA and member of the DSD Committee, Fra McCann, had also called on the NI Minister for Social Development, Alex Atwood to provide clarity in regards to the delays facing the Royal Exchange development in Belfast.
(BMcC/GK)
The application came five years after the Royal Exchange project was announced.
In May this year, Belfast City Council voiced its concern at reports that plans might be delayed, as at the time, detailed plans for the £360m regeneration scheme were still due to be lodged with planners.
It aims to redevelop an area between Royal Avenue and the Cathedral Quarter on the northern side of the city centre.
The company behind the plan, Leaside Investments, is a consortium of two Northern Ireland firms William Ewart and Snoddons and a Dutch firm ING.
The Royal Exchange Scheme was first announced by the government in 2006 with the aim to regenerate run down and semi derelict parts of Belfast city centre.
The area between Donegall Street and Royal Avenue takes in the historic North Street arcade which was burnt down in 2004.
The listed building has not been touched since and there has been criticism that the project has not moved quickly enough.
The plans for the development include more than 200 apartments, a hotel, an arts centre, car parks and retail units.
Developers have signed an agreement with the Department of Social Development which will mean the scheme will receive some public funding.
Social Development Minister Alex Attwood welcomed the lodging of the planning application.
"I would encourage all stakeholders and the general public to provide their views on the application as it proceeds through planning," Mr Attwood said.
Back in May, Councillor William Humphrey, Chairman of the Belfast Council's Development Committee, said he was alarmed at suggestions that the funding which had been made available for the Royal Exchange Regeneration Scheme has been 'surrendered' by DSD and the project is 'not likely to progress' in the timescale originally indicated.
Sinn Féin MLA and member of the DSD Committee, Fra McCann, had also called on the NI Minister for Social Development, Alex Atwood to provide clarity in regards to the delays facing the Royal Exchange development in Belfast.
(BMcC/GK)
Related Northern Ireland Business News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
03 December 2009
Deadline Set For Royal Exchange Plans
Plans to regenerate Belfast's Royal Exchange area must be outlined by October next year, a development consortium has been told. NI Social Development Minister Margaret Ritchie laid down the deadline for the £360m project, which has the potential to generate 2,000 construction jobs, today.
Deadline Set For Royal Exchange Plans
Plans to regenerate Belfast's Royal Exchange area must be outlined by October next year, a development consortium has been told. NI Social Development Minister Margaret Ritchie laid down the deadline for the £360m project, which has the potential to generate 2,000 construction jobs, today.
26 May 2010
Royal Exchange 'Not On Hold', Says DSD
A multi-million pound redevelopment of a run-down part of Belfast city centre has not been shelved, the Department of Social Development (DSD) has said.
Royal Exchange 'Not On Hold', Says DSD
A multi-million pound redevelopment of a run-down part of Belfast city centre has not been shelved, the Department of Social Development (DSD) has said.
15 August 2017
Contractors & Suppliers 'Plug In' To Leisure Transformation Opportunities
More than 90 supply and contractor businesses attended a 'Meet the Buyer' event at Olympia Leisure Centre hoping to share in a £43 million contract to transform leisure in Belfast. Belfast City Council and property specialists, Heron Bros, said the number of companies which attended the event made it a worthwhile exercise.
Contractors & Suppliers 'Plug In' To Leisure Transformation Opportunities
More than 90 supply and contractor businesses attended a 'Meet the Buyer' event at Olympia Leisure Centre hoping to share in a £43 million contract to transform leisure in Belfast. Belfast City Council and property specialists, Heron Bros, said the number of companies which attended the event made it a worthwhile exercise.
09 July 2010
Economic Development Boost For Belfast
Belfast has won a place in the last stages of a prestigious UK-wide enterprise contest. Invest Northern Ireland has announced Belfast City Council's Economic Development Unit as the winner of the NI heat of the Enterprising Britain 2010 competition.
Economic Development Boost For Belfast
Belfast has won a place in the last stages of a prestigious UK-wide enterprise contest. Invest Northern Ireland has announced Belfast City Council's Economic Development Unit as the winner of the NI heat of the Enterprising Britain 2010 competition.
20 January 2017
BCC Seeks Input On Belfast Agenda
Belfast City Council (BCC) is calling for Belfast residents, business owners and students to attend one of four information sessions to hear about plans for the city's development and to voice their views on them.
BCC Seeks Input On Belfast Agenda
Belfast City Council (BCC) is calling for Belfast residents, business owners and students to attend one of four information sessions to hear about plans for the city's development and to voice their views on them.
-
Northern Ireland WeatherToday:Gale, coastal severe gale, northwest winds ease from late afternoon. Scattered showers will fall as snow over the hills at first, becoming isolated from mid-afternoon. Maximum temperature 7 °C.Tonight:Showers, scattered in the evening, will clear by midnight leaving the night dry with clear spells. Cloud will spread east towards morning. Minimum temperature 2 °C.
