Environment Minister Mark H Durkan today approved outline planning permission for a multi million pound development on lands known as Glenmona, Glen Road, Belfast.
The application, by the Trustees of the Diocese of Down and Conor, proposes:
– 450 houses;
– replacement of the existing care facilities;
– light industry and business;
-an education campus;
– hotel;
-a range of retail and community and cultural uses within a single shopping area;
-a variety of open space and recreation areas including playing fields on the 34 hectare site in the west of the city.
The Environment Minister Mark H Durkan commented in an article on the DoE’s website: “This week many eyes will be on our Economic Conference in Belfast. This scheme will be a tremendous economic and social boost for west Belfast. It will regenerate this part of the city. This 34 hectare site is currently largely unused which is unheard of for a site of this size in Belfast.
“This will provide much needed housing for the area, both private and social. It will pump many and much needed new jobs into west Belfast. A hotel, education campus, local retailing, recreation and community facilities plus extensive areas of open space, will breathe life in to this area during the day and in to the evening. This extensive range of facilities can be enjoyed by prospective residents as well as encouraging people in to the area.”
The Minister concluded: “I promise to continue to make the right decisions quickly after I have thoroughly considered all of the issues. This decision is evidence of my determination to clear the backlog of planning applications and provide a planning system that can deliver. What I and DOE are about is a better environment and a stronger economy. This decision will certainly contribute to that.”