New urban eco-garden revealed for Belfast Harbour
Last updated 30th Sep 2021
Belfast Harbour has unveiled plans for a multi-million pound investment in its public space to create a vibrant new ‘green’ urban garden.
The new space will be called 'City Quays Gardens.'
The proposed investment will develop new public space for local and visiting communities which will blend the rich industrial and maritime heritage of the area with an innovative and sustainable design.
Sustainability and environmental excellence are at the core of this project, the gardens will incorporate an eco-conscious design and create new habitats for wildlife; enhancing biodiversity and utilising renewable solar energy to provide all power requirements.
The gardens will be developed to achieve the ‘One Planet Living’ environmental accreditation, a first in Northern Ireland.
Construction will begin in a number of phases, with a £3 million phase one investment focusing on the creation of a 0.8 hectare/2-acre green public space on land adjacent to the City Quays buildings and the historic Belfast Harbour Offices.
The project has also been designed to help promote active and sustainable travel, reconnecting the National Cycle Network by incorporating an off-road alternative cycle route along the City’s waterfront. Improving both pedestrian and cycle connections within close proximity to a range of public transport halts, including York Street Railway station.
Commenting on the plans, Joe O’Neill, Chief Executive of Belfast Harbour said: "Our ‘Port for Everyone’ vision is to develop an iconic waterfront for the city, working with partners to create a vibrant space that all communities can enjoy, and making Belfast Harbour an attractive place to live, work, visit and invest.
"With our strong focus on bio-diversity, we believe that the new Gardens will contribute to Belfast Harbour’s sustainability goal of reaching net zero carbon by 2030 and enhance the wellbeing of local communities and visitors alike.
"We are really excited about this project and look forward to engaging fully with our neighbours, tenants, partners and the wider community to hear their views on our plans for City Quays Gardens and will of course engage with Belfast City Council throughout the process."
Ian Humphreys from Keep Northern Ireland Beautiful supports today's exciting announcement: "The pandemic has reinforced the importance of nature and spending time outdoors and we welcome that City Quays Gardens will offer a new space to promote community gathering in the City.
"Incorporating key biodiversity in an urban area has never been more important and the new City Quays Gardens will create a green space which not only enhances the environment but can also support the health and wellbeing of those who use it."
A voluntary public consultation has commenced, ahead of a Planning Application being submitted to Belfast City Council.
Subject to Planning Approval the project will begin development in 2022.
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