Ritchie announces consultation on designs for city centre square

Social Development Minister, Margaret Ritchie MLA, has today announced the start of a consultation week on designs for a renewed Bank Square in Belfast City Centre.

The draft proposals have been developed by RPS Planning and Environment Ltd on behalf of the Department for Social Development (DSD). The consultants have worked closely with DSD and in conjunction with Belfast City Council and key city centre stakeholders, as well as traders and property owners in the area.

Margaret Ritchie said: "I am grateful to all those organisations who have contributed to the development of the designs. The Westside Masterplan, which I launched in September of last year, emphasised the importance of a revitalised Bank Square in this part of the city.

"The designs that are on show from today include proposals on the lighting and paving of the Square, as well as ideas on performance space and active uses, to bring the Square to life and to address anti-social behaviour. We hope to create a high quality, well designed shared space in the city centre that local people and visitors alike can use and enjoy."

The Minister continued: "I would encourage all those who work, shop, and walk through this part of the city centre to give their opinion on the proposals so that we can move forward with our plans to renew the area, building on the £28million investment that my Department has made across the city centre through the Belfast Streets Ahead project.

"I would like to thank Berry Street Presbyterian Church for providing their premises, adjacent to the Square, for this display."

Notes to editors:

1. The area to be redeveloped is Bank Square, Bank Street, Berry Street and part of King Street. Bank Square connects to Royal Avenue through Berry Street and Bank Street and to CastleCourt and Castle Street through Chapel Lane.

2. The Berry Street Presbyterian Church Hall can be accessed from Chapel Lane.The designs will be on display from 10.00am to 5.30pm daily from 15–19 February and comments can be made in writing either at the venue or by email to jonathan.assorto-mcilwaine@rpsgroup.com and by post to RPS Planning and Environment, Smarts House, 157– 159 High Street, Holywood, Co. Down, BT18 9HU. The closing date for receipt of comments is Friday 26 February.

3. Implementation of the design proposals is subject to economic appraisal, funding availability and satisfying all necessary statutory requirements including obtaining planning permission.

4. Media enquiries to DSD Information Office on 028 9082 9078. Out of office hours please contact the Duty Press Officer via pager number 07699 715 440 and your call will be returned.

5. The Bank Square Regeneration Project proposals can also be viewed on the DSD website.