HOUSEHOLDERS living near Casement Park have welcomed a report by emergency services that raises concerns over the capacity of a proposed new GAA stadium.
The Irish News yesterday revealed officials estimate that only around 18,000 people could safely evacuate a redeveloped Casement in west Belfast if the Andersonstown Road was closed.
Police, fire and ambulance officials also warn that in a 'worst-case' scenario just over 11,200 fans could safely exit if cars are parked on residential streets.
The assessment emerges just days after the new president of the GAA's Ulster Council Michael Hasson said there is "not a lot of give" in its plans for a 38,000-capacity stadium.
It is the latest twist in controversy surrounding the £77 million project that has been plagued with problems and delays.
A fresh planning application is expected in September, nearly two years after approval was overturned in the High Court following a legal challenge by residents.
They maintain that the Andersonstown site can only cater for up to 25,000 spectators.
A Stormont inquiry is also continuing into safety concerns and whether the original proposals properly considered emergency exiting arrangements.
It came after a safety expert told MLAs the proposed design could not be evacuated safely in certain emergencies – and warned of the potential for a tragedy like the Hillsborough disaster, a claim dismissed by the GAA.
Tony Dignan, of the Mooreland and Owenvarragh Residents Association, yesterday described the report as "highly significant".
"It represents the combined views of the emergency services, making it crystal clear that, in their expert view, the maximum safe capacity for a redeveloped Casement Park is 18,000.
"The conclusions drawn by the emergency services reflect the unique nature of the site. It really is time the GAA got their heads around that simple fact".
In their joint report, the blue light bodies said the stadium's maximum emergency evacuation time should be eight minutes.
Their figures for the 'emergency evacuation safe capacity' are estimates of the number of spectators that could leave within this time frame.
Mr Dignan expressed hopes for a "more realistic attitude" from the GAA over the redevelopment of Casement.
"The GAA is perfectly entitled to look for a 38,000 capacity stadium, but that will not happen at Casement Park. The Casement Park site simply will not support the scale of development the GAA want. They need to look elsewhere for a provincial stadium," he said.
Ulster GAA is set to begin a consultation on new plans for redeveloping Casement. A spokesman said the proposed stadium's capacity has not been finalised.
"The capacity of the provincial stadium will be determined following completion of an environmental impact assessment, public consultation and consultation with statutory consultees and key stakeholders such as the Safety Technical Group, PSNI and others," he said.
"Until these consultation processes are complete and detailed environmental, transport and socio-economic assessments are complete the specific capacity for the provincial stadium cannot be determined."
