Residents aim to fight stadium plan

Local & National

Why anyone would want to build on one of the few green areas in Belfast the public can use and enjoy is beyond comprehension

Thursday, August 02, 2007

By Victoria O'Hara

Growing concerns that a Belfast park could be reconsidered as the site for the national stadium have led to residents vowing to fight potential plans spearheaded by the city council.

A recent report by the Department of Culture, Arts and Leisure found the Maze site near Lisburn to be the most suitable area for the multi-sports facility.

The technical dossier looked at 12 possible locations including the 360-acre plot near Lisburn and Ormeau Park.

It said there were planning difficulties with Ormeau Park near Belfast city centre.

However, last month Belfast council called for the lifting of a June 30 deadline, set by Sports Minister Edwin Poots, for alternatives to the Maze to be presented.

This has sparked concern amongst park users and residents that Ormeau Park could be back in the running as a potential development site for the stadium.

And a newly formed campaign group 'Save Ormeau Park' is vowing to fight the proposed plans.

They fear it would destroy a valuable green area if it was chosen.

A public meeting organised by the group will be held at Ballynafeigh Community House tonight.

Member Frances Dowds said such a development would destroy one of the few green areas in inner city Belfast.

"Why anyone would want to build on one of the few green areas in Belfast that the public can, and do, use and enjoy is beyond comprehension," she said.

"There are other brown field sites in Belfast that would be more suitable, which are closer to transport links and not in residential areas.

"We have decided to take action as this is going too far and we need to now make our feelings known to those making these decisions.

"The people who use this park are ratepayers and we would expect our needs in this matter to be met and not overlooked."

Ms Dowds added: "The park is used by a wide variety of people from a large surrounding area and they are determined to preserve this public park from irresponsible development."

The meeting in Ballynafeigh Community House, Ormeau Road, Belfast is at 7.30pm.