DAILY NEWS

Dean of Belfast urges Ní Chuílin to intervene over office development at Writer’s Square

Long cited concerns over losing the space from public ownership

A senior clergyman in Belfast has urged Communities Minister Carál Ní Chuílin to intervene over plans to build a large office development next to St Anne’s Cathedral, Ryan McAleer writes in the Irish News.

Belfast City Council granted outline planning approval to the £500 million Tribeca project in September, paving the way for London-based developer Castlebrooke Investments to lodge more detailed applications for the vast scheme.

The Cathedral Quarter Trust (CQT) said it understands that the first element of the project will include a large commercial office block on Writer’s Square, which is owned by the Department for the Communities.

The trust and opponents of the Tribeca scheme have long cited concerns over losing the space from public ownership, which is directly opposite St Anne’s Cathedral.

Dean of St Anne’s, Stephen Forde, said there is also concern that the commercial development will impact the landmark Church of Ireland building.

He said heritage campaigners in the city are now hopeful “that the tide of planning decisions is turning”, following last week’s unanimous decision by Belfast City Council’s planning committee to reject a bid to demolish UTV’s former headquarters to make way for 270 build-to-rent apartments.

The Church of Ireland clergyman, who sits on the cultural and heritage trust, said it has written to Carál Ní Chuílin to outline “strong concerns” about the future of Writer’s Square.

“We acknowledge the need for planned and careful development of Belfast as a whole and of the wider Cathedral Quarter area but we do fear that if a commercial office block is permitted on Writer’s Square, not only will that valuable public space be lost to private development, but there will be a permanent impact on St Anne’s Cathedral,” said Dean Forde.

“Writer’s Square is currently in public ownership and therefore the minister will have a significant say in the future of this site.

“We urge the communities minister and councillors in Belfast City Council to continue to give equal weight to the views of those of who will live and work alongside and within the developments which are up for consideration.”

Report courtesy The Irish News, 23 November, 2020


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