The Northern Ireland Executive has given its backing for the delayed redevelopment of Casement Park as a home for Gaelic Games in West Belfast.
Minister for Infrastructure and Deputy Leader of the SDLP Nichola Mallon said that “I believe it will be truly transformational in sporting terms and economic terms for the whole of Ulster.”
The project is sorely needed with the stadium having become derelict over the past decade as wrangling over the plans stopped any progress.
Development at Kingspan Stadium in Rugby and at Windsor Park on soccer went ahead after agreement to advance modern facilities for each of the three sports.
Casement though got bogged down in planning permission failures. In 2013 permission was granted for a 38,000 seat stadium but that was quashed on appeal to the high court.
In 2017 a new submission was made with a reduced capacity of 34,000 and that is what has now been given the green light.
“The redeveloped Casement Park will bring positive local community benefits and we will work hard to be a good neighbour for all those who live in the locality,” said Ulster GAA Chief Executive Brian McEvoy.
A lot of time and energy has been invested in bringing the project to this juncture and all involved deserve commendation for their patience and commitment to the stadium re-build,” added John Horan, President of the GAA.
“We look forward to working with Antrim and Ulster in the weeks and months ahead to plan the next steps in providing a new and welcome focal point for our games and for the Association in the northeast of the island,” said GAA Ard Stiurthóir Tom Ryan.
Here is an artists impression video of what the new development will look like from the latest submission back in 2017.
