Daily Mirror (Northern Ireland)
PARK’S NEW LEASE OF LIFE
Casement rebuild gets the go-ahead
INFRASTRUCTURE Minister Nichola Mallon has given her backing for a new stadium at Casement Park.
As a result, the Ulster Council of the GAA will be able to build a 34,578 capacity facility on its existing site on the Andersonstown Road in West Belfast.
SDLP Minister Ms Mallon said yesterday : “Since taking office I have stressed the need for progression of this long-awaited application.
“I acknowledge that this approval was not an easy decision. There has been an extensive consultation process due to the complexities of the application and the level of public representation in relation to the proposal.
“I recognise the impacts on residential amenity from the proposed development but ultimately I had to weigh such impacts with the social and economic benefits that would result from the completion of this project and I truly believe that the Casement Park stadium will be successful.
“The new stadium is of high-quality design and will become a renowned landmark building which will provide a further catalyst for regeneration of the Andersonstown Road and an economic boost to West Belfast in general.
“Belfast as a whole shall benefit from this redevelopment, connecting people from across the city, the north and further afield.” Having
Nichola Mallon
once been the host of major GAA county games in Ulster, Casement Park last hosted a match in June 2013.
Initial redevelopment plans collapsed back in 2014 due to a legal challenge from a group of residents, while no decision was ever made on a separate application three years later.
At the start of the year C o mmu n i t i e s Mi n i s t e r Deirdre Hargey described the completion of Casement as a “key priority” for the department.