Belfast approves £400m regeneration scheme at Grand Central Station

Belfast City Council has now granted planning permission for a regeneration scheme worth more than £400m on a site surrounding Belfast’s new Grand Central Station.

Formerly named the Belfast Transport Hub, the new construction is set to open in 2025 and the Weavers Cross Regeneration Project will involve mixed-use city centre development.

This will see the building of office space, residential apartments and a hotel, as well as opportunities for active travel, hospitality and community uses.

Planning Committee Deputy Chairman Conor Maskey says: ‘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.’

Land freed up by the closure of the Europa Bus Station and Great Victoria Street train station will be used for the redevelopment.

This will comprise of a 40,000 sq ft public space at Saltwater Square and the step free Grand Central Station, with 26 bus stands, eight rail platforms and enhanced walking and cycling connectivity.

It’s thought a minimum of 400 new homes and at least 80 social and affordable housing units will also be created by the scheme.

Weavers Cross is in line with Belfast City Council’s Bolder Vision for Belfast and the Belfast Agenda 2035, providing social value for communities, providing employment and delivering an additional £1bn to Northern Ireland’s economy.

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.’ 

Photo provided by John McAslan + Partners