Council Approves West Belfast Transport Hub

Plans for the development of a new “town centre” in the Collin area have taken a step closer, with the granting of planning permission for the first stage of the scheme.

Last month, Belfast City Council granted outline planning approval for the 21-hectare development, based around the existing Dairy Farm complex. On Tuesday the Planning Committee approved plans for a Belfast Rapid Transit hub on the site.

The overall Colin Town Centre Masterplan also proposes a new multi-purpose community building, a health centre, leisure centre, a post-primary school and residential and retail uses, as well as a town square, recreational sports pitches, sports pavilions, a formal play area and public park, public open space, landscaping, a pedestrian/cycle bridge over the Stewartstown Road, footpaths, road infrastructure, environmental improvements and car parking, including a ‘park and ride’ facility.

The Planning Committee also gave the green light for another major new hotel development on the edge of the city centre. Approval was granted for the development, by McAleer and Rushe, of the 250-bedroom facility on a site between Corporation Street and Tomb Street. The go ahead was also given for the development of a new Lidl supermarket at the Connswater Retail Park and a new Porsche showroom to be developed by Isaac Agnew on the Sydenham Road.

These decisions were among 165 which were agreed by the Committee this evening (Tuesday).

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