£8 million regeneration scheme for east Belfast

The government has today announced that it is to build a multi-million pound business park in east Belfast.

The £8 million government redevelopment scheme will see the transformation of four acres of derelict land at the Ravenhill Reach/Ormeau Embankment area of the city into a new state-of-the-art business park.

The redevelopment of this site will contribute to the strategic promotion, development and economic regeneration of this area.

The site is in close proximity to a number of East Belfast’s arterial routes and road networks and the banks of the Lagan River waterway, as well as being located near Belfast City Centre.

Earlier today, Social Development Minister David Hanson MP announced that 27 two-storey office units will be built on the site.

He said: “The business units will bring much needed improvements to the appearance of the area which has lain derelict for some considerable time.

“The development will also contribute to local economic renewal through the employment, business development and local investment opportunities that this scheme will generate. The development is expected to create up to 270 full-time jobs on completion, with 160 jobs during construction.”

The Minister continued: “Graham Developments has been selected as the Department for Social Development’s (DSD) preferred developer, following an open competition run by the Department’s Belfast Regeneration Office.

“The redevelopment of vacant and derelict land offers real opportunities for local regeneration, helping to create attractive, safe and sustainable environments in the most deprived neighbourhoods. This is in line with our commitments under the Neighbourhood Renewal Strategy and in the Renewing Communities Action Plan published earlier this year.”

It is hoped that the first phase of development at Ravenhill Reach will begin in June 2007.

(EF/KMcA)