The Gaelic Athletic Association confirmed yesterday (Tuesday) that it has submitted its planning application to Belfast City Council for a new provincial stadium at Casement Park.
The announcement followed what the GAA described as an “unprecedented 32-week consultation period”, which found that 95 per cent of people that responded to the proposed design were in favour of the project.
The 34,186-capacity stadium has been designed by leading architecture firm Populous. The wide-ranging project also includes mixed-use facilities, which the GAA hopes will provide a range of economic, cultural and heritage opportunities to locals.
Ulster GAA received feedback from over 5,000 people during the consultation process. Ninety-two per cent of people believe the project will bring socio-economic benefits, with 91 per cent also stating the stadium would have a positive impact on the local environment.
Tom Daly, chairman of the Casement Park Project Board, said: “Having engaged in a thorough and extensive consultation process the Casement Park project team is delighted to be submitting its planning application to Belfast City Council for a new provincial stadium at Casement Park. We have listened, learned and acted, developing an exciting design for an iconic stadium that will make a significant sporting, economic, social and cultural contribution to Belfast and beyond.
“We are delighted with the overwhelming support the project has received with 95 per cent of people that responded being in favour of the scheme and also with the positive endorsement we received from the Safety Technical Group (STG). Everyone involved in the project is now looking forward to the next phase and developing on our plans to transform Casement Park into a venue that will inspire young people for generations to come.”
The height, scale and capacity of the project are all smaller than previous designs and the STG’s report found that the GAA’s revised plans are sufficiently developed to provide a sound basis for development towards the targeted 34,186 capacity.
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