Has Belfast Grand Central Station received planning permission?
Yes, the Belfast Transport Hub received planning permission in March 2019
What enhancements will the new station have?
The new station will include an integrated transport interchange comprising; station concourse, 26 bus stands, 8 railway platforms, bus maintenance and parking, track and signalling enhancements, bus access bridge, cycle and taxi provision, car parking, new public square, public realm improvements, highway improvements, infrastructure improvements, temporary structures for bus operations during construction and temporary site construction compounds.
Is the regeneration process included in the Belfast Grand Central Station planning application?
No. The development plots adjoining the Full planning application site boundary will be subject to a separate planning application. Community input and pre-application public consultation on the proposed mixed use development will commence in the coming months. An outline planning application will be submitted to Belfast City Council once the consultation process has completed.
Will the local community have access to employment and training opportunities during the construction of Belfast Grand Central Station?
The build and engineering of Belfast Grand Central Station will create up to approximately 400 jobs during construction, including approx. 100 ‘Buy Social’ jobs for new entrants into the construction sector.
Weavers Cross are working in partnership with Belfast City Council to create awareness and support readiness to local communities in preparation for these opportunities.
Will the Belfast Grand Central Station project create other employment opportunities?
The substantial investment into the local economy ultimately leads to many employment opportunities in related sectors. These sectors include the visitor economy, customer service, retail, food and beverage, leisure, construction, engineering, facilities management, security and transport services.
How will the local community be made aware of these opportunities?
The project has appointed a dedicated full-time Community Engagement resource to engage directly with all local stakeholders. The community engagement manager will be visible within the local communities and work on key initiatives such as:
The Weavers Cross project has also developed this website which will be regularly updated with all relevant project opportunities and information.
How will local heritage be retained within the project?
The residential areas neighbouring the Weavers Cross site, notably Sandy Row and Durham Street in South Belfast and Grosvenor Road in West Belfast, are particularly rich in history, culture and heritage.
Weavers Cross is committed to keeping this character alive within the re-shaping of this city centre location. Weavers Cross will recognise and pay its respect to this rich history through, unique design commissions, place naming, a dedicated arts strategy and by re-using and re-tasking existing site materials for community use.
What other benefits will the project bring to the local communities?
As part of the construction of the new station, a new public realm square, known as Saltwater Square, will be created. Saltwater Square will be one of the major focal points of the development and act as gateway to Belfast. The new public square can be used for public art, entertainment space and leisure uses.
Why has the public realm space been named Saltwater Square?
It takes its name from the original bridge over the River Blackstaff and in doing so, creates a direct connection with that structure’s considerable historical and environmental significance.
Will the street where the current Boyne Bridge exists, have a new name?
The project will consult with the local community and be guided by the Belfast City Council street naming process to determine the final name.
How will the location of the original Saltwater Bridge be identified?
The Saltwater Bridge is buried beneath the road at the Sandy Row junction with Hope Street. The project commissioned an archaeological dig in an attempt to identify the exact location –
As a way of identifying the location and in respect to the historical significance, the public arts programme will commission an appropriate artistic feature installation. This could take the form of wall plaques, street plinths or arches, however the exact nature of this artistic feature installation will be subject to local community consultation and the approval of the relevant statutory bodies.
Why is the project called Weavers Cross?
The Weavers Cross name, will be the name given to the area around the new transport hub. The name which was developed in consultation with local communities, pays respect to the workers of the linen/textile industry that were employed and which brought industrial significance to the local area.
The name cross refers to the action of the natural crossing of the waterway that still runs through the heart of the local area as it makes it way towards the River Lagan and the sea.
Will the regeneration plans bring long-term employment opportunities?
The regeneration plans will bring a long-term source of construction employment and opportunities in the area through the continuation of Buy Social and Construction Academy within the ten to 15 years’ development cycle.
Why will investing in a new station be important to the success of Weavers Cross?
Increasingly, stations redevelopment are at the epicentre of growth and regeneration in European and UK cities and are seen as destinations for shopping, working, living and socialising.
