FOUR separate proposals have been submitted by developers in relation to commercial leisure and tourism-led, mixed used on a 200-acre section of the Giant’s Park site on the north foreshore of Belfast Lough.
And each of the proposals will now enter into a process of “clarification, evaluation and political endorsement” to see which of the schemes is taken forward.
Details of the four proposals were revealed by Belfast City Council's property and projects director Gerry Millar at the MIPIM conference in Cannes, where an 80-strong delegation of Belfast business is showcasing the city to an audience of international property investors, developers and occupiers.
Mr Millar said: “This 200-acre portion of the Giant’s Park site represents one of the largest single commercial development opportunities ever to have come to the market in Belfast and, unsurprisingly, has attracted a significant amount of interest from local and international parties.
“I'm pleased to say we have received four proposals for the site – each very different and very exciting in their own right, and each presenting their respective vision for a commercial leisure and tourism-led, mixed used development.
“The Council will now enter into due process in subjecting these proposals to intense clarification, evaluation and political endorsement before any decision is reached as to which is taken forward.”
At 340 acres, Giant’s Park is the largest regeneration site in the city and offers huge potential to deliver economic, social and physical benefits.
Linked to all major roads, motorways, ports and airports, the Council-owned site has received a £9.5m infrastructure upgrade to include over 1,700 of new roads, the installation of key services, landscaping and planting.
The Council previously stated its commitment to transforming the former landfill facility into a safe, sustainable asset capable of attracting investment to Belfast, and creating jobs and other opportunities for the city.
Up to 400 new jobs are anticipated at a new environmental resource park, situated across 30 on acres the southern area of the site. The first development of its kind in Northern Ireland, the new “cleantech hub” will house a range of companies from across the environmental, renewables, low carbon and other cleantech industries.
Updating the MIPIM audience on progress around the scheme Mr Millar added: “This hub will enable us to position Belfast as a leading destination for green technology. We have received a significant level of interest from a wide range of companies, who recognise the huge benefits that could be derived from working side by side with similar companies to drive research, innovation and new product development in cleantech.
“We currently have heads of terms out with two companies for plots on the site and anticipate further developments in the coming weeks.”
Last year Belfast Harbour opened a £20m film studio complex at Giant’s Park. Stretching over seven acres on the site, the complex includes two film studios and sound stages of approximately 33,000 sq ft each, two workshop buildings of approximately 11,000 sq ft each and a three-storey office and production building of 37,000 sq ft. In June the Superman prequel Krypton was confirmed as the first production to be housed in the studios.
