Casement Park project receives planning boost
Friday 8 March 2019 18:35, UK
A decision on planning approval for the Casement Park redevelopment could be made in the absence of a Stormont minister, as the cost of the project has risen to an estimated £110m.
The Belfast venue has been lying derelict in recent years, with complications delaying the redevelopment process which aims to bring the capacity to the region of 34,000.
Tom Daly, chairman of the Casement Park Project Board, revealed the cost increase.
He said: "The prolonged nature of the planning process is stalling the project's progress and is also impacting its budgetary estimate which is now likely to be in the region of £110m. With every day of delay pushing out the earliest possible start on site for the project it is imperative that government departments discharge their responsibilities as expediently as possible to mitigate against increased costs.
"Ulster GAA is resolutely committed to the delivery of this project and to addressing the frustrations of our members and their communities' that Gaelic Games remains the only sport which has not had its strategic stadium needs delivered within the Regional Stadia Programme, a Programme for Government priority."
Meanwhile, Ulster GAA have revealed the Department for Infrastructure may make the final decision on the project's planning application in the absence of a minister, and responses will be issued as soon as possible.
"The planning application for the redevelopment of Casement Park was submitted in February 2017, yet over two years later the length of time it is taking for some statutory bodies to respond to the planning authority is a cause of frustration within our project team and across the wider GAA community," explained Daly.
"Everyone at Ulster GAA would like to thank our members and our communities for their continued support throughout this process and we place on record our unambiguous commitment to ensure that Belfast will have a world class stadium for Gaelic Games to serve the needs of the GAA in Ulster, Antrim and throughout Ireland long into the future."
