Minutes:
The Chairperson welcomed Mr. Billy Dickson and Mr. Declan Hill to the meeting, who were representing the Transport Hub Alternatives Group.
Mr. Hill stated that he was an architect and, while he agreed that the proposed Transport Hub would be a brilliant investment in the city, he and Mr Dickson had some concerns regarding the new station. He explained that the proposed design would require passengers to cross two main roads in order to access it from the city centre. He presented the Committee with a number of drawings, whereby the Boyne Bridge was maintained for vehicular use, with the pedestrian entrance to the new station beneath it.
Mr. Dickson outlined to the Committee that the Transport Hub Alternatives Group wanted to see the Boyne Bridge retained in the development of the new Transport Hub as it would also connect the Hub with neighbouring Sandy Row. The Members were advised that they had submitted their concerns and engaged with the Department for Infrastructure on the proposed design.
A Member stated that he had concerns that the Department’s proposed design could block further economic development in Sandy Row and that it should consider ways in which it would link inner city communities to the new Hub.
In response to a further Member’s question, the Director of City Centre Regeneration and Development informed the Committee that Translink had agreed to put the proposed design of the Transport Hub onto VUCITY at an early stage so that people could understand the impact and design of the Hub.
The Chairperson thanked Mr. Hill and Mr. Dickson for their presentation and they retired from the meeting.
The Chairperson welcomed Mr. Tom Ekin, Chair, Mr. Rajesh Rana and Ms. Glenda Davies from Project Hope to the meeting.
Mr. Ekin advised the Committee that Project Hope was a group of stakeholders who had come together in response to the plans for the new Transport Hub/Weavers Cross. He explained that it was made up of representatives from businesses, arts venues, investors, trade associations and community groups. He explained that all Members of Project Hope welcomed the new Hub and wanted it to be as successful as possible.
Ms. Davies added that she wanted to see community benefits from the scheme, and highlighted to the Members that meaningful engagement with stakeholders in the area, beyond the statutory requirements, was important to ensure it was a long-term success. She added that Project Hope wanted to see a successful mixed-use development on the site.
Mr. Rana explained that he was keen to see benefits and investment in the south west of the City, particularly in the short and medium term, given the high numbers of vacant sites in that area. He advised the Members that Project Hope had commissioned a study of car parking availability in the City. He explained that, while he understood the importance of encouraging the use of more sustainable transport methods, 50% of current car parking spaces in the area could be lost over the next few years. He explained that Project Hope believed that the current levels of public parking in the area needed to be maintained and increased to meet the needs of the proposed development and that it was particularly opposed to the removal of the multi-storey carpark.
During discussion with the Members, Ms. Davies highlighted that she wanted to see residential parking schemes introduced to improve and enhance the Sandy Row and Donegall Road communities.
A Member stated that Project Hope should investigate ways in which Section 76 Developers’ Contributions could best be used in the area for the advantage of the community.
The Director of City Centre Regeneration and Development informed the Committee that the Council was establishing a Stakeholder Reference Group in order to encourage engagement between the Department for Communities, the Department for Infrastructure, the Northern Ireland Housing Executive (NIHE), the Council and other relevant stakeholder groups.
After further discussion, the Chairperson thanked the representatives from Project Hope for their presentation and they retired from the meeting.