Casement Park GAA stadium plans formally approved

Plans for a new multimillion-pounds Casement Park stadium in west Belfast have been given formal approval.

Infrastructure Minister Nichola Mallon announced the successful completion of the planning process for the 34,500-capacity Gaelic Athletic Association (GAA) stadium.

In October last year she said she had recommended approval of the project but it still had to pass a number of further stages.

Those have now been completed.

"This is an historic day for the GAA in Ulster and for gaels across our island," Ms Mallon said.

It is not clear yet exactly how the project will be funded as the new stadium is expected to cost at least £110m, which is more than £30m above the original estimate.

Nichola Mallon signed off on the project, which has faced years of delays

The construction on the Andersonstown Road could be subject to legal challenge by west Belfast residents who have in the past argued that the stadium is too large to be built in a heavily-populated area.

The initial cost of the new stadium was estimated at £77m, with the GAA making a contribution.

Most of the money will come from the Stormont executive.

There has not been a ball kicked at the stadium for more than seven years, as rebuilding plans have been hit by legal difficulties:

• 2013 - Planning permission granted for a 38,000 capacity stadium

• 2014 - Planning approval quashed

• 2015 - Review of how project was handled

• 2017 - Application for smaller 34,500-capacity stadium

• 2020 - Infrastructure minister recommended planning approval

• 2021 - Planning approval confirmed

The cost of the new stadium has risen beyond the original estimate of £77m

Ms Mallon said she hoped construction would begin soon but a timescale had yet to be worked out.

Modern sports stadiums usually take two to three years to build.

"This has been a long and complex process, predating my time as minister, however we must now move forward and see progress on the ground, progress that will bring many sporting, social and economic benefits not just to west Belfast but right across the city and beyond," said Ms Mallon.

"This will be fantastic news for the GAA family across Ulster and Ireland, particularly with the Ulster [senior football] final taking place this Sunday.

"Here's to an exciting Ulster final and many memorable games to come in a new state-of-the-art stadium in Casement now that the GAA is to finally have the home it deserves in Ulster."

Deputy First Minister Michelle O'Neill tweeted she was "absolutely delighted" planning approval had been granted.

She said it would create "many jobs and [help] to grow surrounding businesses in the local community".

"As joint head of government, I have always prioritised the redevelopment of Casement Park," she said.

"But also as a lifelong GAA fan, I cannot wait to see it completed."

Brian McEvoy, chief executive of Ulster GAA, said he is looking forward "confidently to the construction phase with a clear pathway for the project's delivery".

"We will be launching an extensive, far-reaching, and inclusive community engagement programme in the coming weeks to help realise the significant opportunities that the stadium will deliver for the whole community."