New battle to keep Titanic project afloat

Local & National

Friday, October 19, 2007

By Victoria O'Hara and Linda McKee

Economy Minister Nigel Dodds today said he was disappointed that a blue-riband tourism project had missed out on a multi-million pound Lottery grant.

Those behind the project to redevelop the Titanic Quarter now face a new battle to find money to press on with the development.

The £90m Titanic Signature Project initiative was to be at the centre of the redevelopment of the Titanic Quarter, promoting the city's maritime history. It aimed to attract tens of thousands of tourists to Belfast.

But it failed to reach the final funding shortlist for the Lottery's Living Landmarks £25m Fund.

Mr Dodds said the Government will now explore the possibility of other funding sources for the Titanic project.

"Government will now consider the implications of the Lottery decision with the project promoters, Titanic Quarter Limited and Belfast Harbour Commissioners, which will include exploring the scope for bringing other funding sources into play," he said.

An application to redevelop the North Foreshore in north Belfast as part of a £70m project also missed out on Lottery money.

The decision was made at the Big Lottery Fund Living Landmarks Committee meeting in London on Tuesday.

The only shortlisted applicant from Northern Ireland was the Connswater Community Greenway. The £30.5m scheme is a vast project connecting 379 acres of public open space, building 43 bridges and 19kms of cycle and walkways in east Belfast.

Project manager Wendy Langham said: "There will be 5km of cleaned up river, 19km of cycling and walking routes, 43 new bridges, including two landmark bridges across the Sydenham bypass and the Knock dual carriageway, and a civic square at Holywood Arches."

On November 6, the team will go in front of the Living Landmarks committee to present its case for the grant.

Lord Mayor of Belfast Jim Rodgers said the community aspect of the Connswater Community Greenway project, he believes, would have appealed to the judges.

"It is good news for east Belfast but a major disappointment for the Titanic Signature Project and the North Foreshore," he said.

"But I always felt personally that the Connswater project was the favourite."

Mr Rodgers, a councillor for east Belfast, added: "The judges normally like to see the community actively involved.

"And there is a feeling that is why it got through to the final stages. But obviously those involved will have to examine what they are going to do next, whether that involves seeking funding elsewhere, including the possibility of the private sector putting it in."

Brian Ambrose, chairman of the Titanic Foundation, said the decision was " a setback".

"However, we will simply re-group and re-double our efforts and find a way to deliver this exciting project in time for the 2012 centenary."

Mike Smith, chief executive of Titanic Quarter Limited, said it was not the end of the project.