Belfast City Council’s planning committee has given the green light for the Weavers Cross regeneration development project on the land around the new Belfast Grand Central Station currently under construction and expected to open in 2025 (formerly known as the Belfast Transport Hub).
The approved scheme represents a £400+m investment opportunity for over 1.3m sq ft of mixed-use city centre development, including enhanced placemaking and public realm, active travel, hospitality and community uses and will act as a catalyst for regeneration of the wider area. Weavers Cross will make a significant contribution towards the delivery of Belfast City Council’s Bolder Vision for Belfast and the Belfast Agenda 2035, delivering inclusive regeneration with long term social value benefits for local communities.
As well as delivering a new 40,000 sq ft public space in Saltwater Square, the step free, Grand Central Station creates an integrated transport hub extending across 160,000 sqft, providing 26 bus stands, 8 rail platforms and enhanced walking and cycling connectivity across the city. When completed, it will become the largest integrated transport hub on the island of Ireland.
Supporting the Council’s ambition to increase city centre living and providing employment, the project will deliver considerable Economic Value with circa £1bn of additional spend projected for the NI economy and leveraging the public investment in the Transport Hub as a catalyst for inclusive regeneration and economic growth.
Project Lead and Associate Director at John McAslan + Partners Colin Bennie says, “We are thrilled to have been part of the project supporting Translink and working with stakeholders, with a shared commitment to ensure future quality through the detailed consideration and formulation of Planning and Design Principles, and look forward to building on this work together, to create a vibrant new neighbourhood, supporting city centre living and as a gateway to the city.”
Planning committee deputy chairman Conor Maskey said: “This is positive news for the city, with this planning proposal at Belfast’s new transport hub providing a significant opportunity for both investment and job creation.
“It will make effective use of previously developed land and provide a really important mixed-use scheme that will cater for a wide range of uses including employment, retail, community issues and housing which will support the council’s aims of increasing city centre living.”
Translink Group Chief Executive Chris Conway “ Weavers Cross promises to complement the new Belfast Grand Central Station currently in construction, ensuring we see the full economic and social benefits of this major new integrated transport hub as part of a wider long-term masterplan.
“Across the world, multi-modal transport hubs like the new Belfast Grand Central Station are at the epicentre of growth and are increasingly seen as destinations for shopping, working, employment, education, living and socialising.
“As a highly sustainable mixed-use location, it has potential for regeneration, creating space for new homes and employment, with easy access to bus, rail and active travel connections across the city and beyond” Chris concluded.
Project lead – Arup
Planning and Stakeholder engagement lead – Juno Planning
Master planning Design and Architect – John McAslan + Partners
Client Organisation – Translink