AQW 1252/17-22

Ms Paula Bradshaw
Alliance Party
South Belfast

Tabled Date: 30/01/2020
Answered On Date: 22/02/2020
Priority Written: No

Question:
To ask the Minister for Communities for an update on the timescale for completion of the upgrade to Casement Park Stadium.

Answer:

The completion of Casement Park is a key priority under the ‘New Decade, New Approach’ agreement and I am fully committed to completing this important project.

The Casement Park Redevelopment has suffered significant delays as a consequence of the Judicial Review of the Department of Environment (DoE) grant of the original Casement Park Planning Permission, dating from December 2013.

The Ulster Council of the GAA (UCGAA) has submitted a revised Planning Application on in February 2017, which continues to be assessed by Department for Infrastructure. I have engaged with Minister Mallon to impress on her the need for the assessment of the Planning Application to be progressed with urgency.

I have spoken to my Executive colleagues about the need for the complex approval processes associated with the project to be concluded with pace.

I have asked my officials to take forward the final pieces of work associated with the UCGAA Full Business Case without delay. Progress towards construction commencement can then be considered when all the relevant project funding is in place.