Translink has welcomed Belfast City Council’s decision to approve plans for Weavers Cross, a significant transport-led regeneration project, which promises to bring circa 1.3 million square feet of mixed-use space to a strategic location in central Belfast.
The plans, brought forward by Translink, to be delivered by a private sector development partner, would see the creation of a new ‘city neighbourhood’, with the new world class Belfast Grand Central Station at its heart.
As a key economic driver for the city, the project is a once-in-a-generation opportunity for regeneration through reconnection, delivering both spatial and social regeneration of both the area and the wider city, as well as encouraging and enabling a modal shift away from private cars as a primary means of travel.
Belfast Grand Central Station, a NI Executive flagship project, is the catalyst for this major regeneration project, which will deliver an immediate economic impact. The development will require 5,000+ construction employment years to coomplete the masterplan and could create space for over 8,000 full-time equivalent jobs. The long-term redevelopment presents an opportunity to unlock £1bn of additional spend in the economy and to create a legacy of wider regeneration of surrounding areas of the city.
Sustainability is at the core of the Weavers Cross development and its relationship with Belfast Grand Central Station. Weavers Cross will not only benefit from highly sustainable buildings, but the development’s location around a major integrated multi-modal transport hub will support an environmentally conscious lifestyle among residents and occupiers.
Translink Group Chief Executive Chris Conway said: “We welcome this announcement by Belfast City Council’s Planning Committee. 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 office led regeneration, creating space for new homes and employment, with easy access to bus, rail and active travel connections across the city and beyond.”
“The development of this major project will make it easier for people living and working here to lead lives less dependant on the private car, driving modal shift to public and active transport and helping achieve Northern Ireland’s climate ambitions.
“We look forward to announcing our development partners who will work with us on the delivery of Weavers Cross, to deliver on this ambition over the coming decade and will continue to work with all our stakeholders including Belfast City Council, and the local communities as the scheme progresses.” Chris concluded
