Council Calls On Firms To 'Put Down Roots' At New North Belfast Development

Belfast City Council is calling on green technology investors, developers and occupiers to put down roots at a major new business development at Giant's Park in north Belfast.

A marketing campaign has been launched to attract individuals and firms interested in developing at a £9.5 million Cleantech Hub currently under construction on the southern portion of the site.

The project is funded by the council, and part-funded by Invest Northern Ireland and the European Regional Development Fund, under the Sustainable Competitiveness Programme for Northern Ireland.

The new hub is expected to create up to 400 jobs in environmental, renewables, low carbon and other cleantech industries, and lever in investment of up to £105 million for Belfast once fully developed.

Expressions of interest are to be submitted by Wednesday, 27 January 2016.

The process is being managed by commercial estate agents Lisney, on behalf of the council.

Councillor Declan Boyle, Chair of Belfast City Council's Strategic Policy and Resources Committee, said: "This is a unique opportunity for cleantech companies to be at the heart of cutting edge research, innovation and product development, with firms working side by side to tackle the biggest economic and environmental challenges of the 21st century.

"Although this is a new and ambitious market for us, Belfast is perfectly placed to take advantage of the growing cleantech sector in the UK and Ireland and become a world leader in this field, with the right mix of skilled workers, an accessible, central location, low operating costs and competitive rates."

(CD/LM)