05/02/2010

Victoria Square Picks Up Top Award

Belfast's Victoria Square shopping and leisure centre has been awarded the UK's top planning prize.

The regeneration project scooped the Silver Jubilee Cup in a ceremony celebrating the best planning projects across the UK and Ireland.

Bob Neill, Shadow Minister for Communities and Local Government and Deputy Chairman of the Conservative Party presented the award to BDP, Victoria Square's master-planners at the RTPI 2009 Planning Awards, which took place at the London Hilton yesterday.

Doug Pilkington, Architect Director, BDP Belfast said: "It's fantastic that we've been recognised by the planning world for our work on Victoria Square, which has expanded the city towards the riverside in a way that is truly integrated.

"Working with the Northern Ireland Planning Service has been a really positive and collaborative experience, and Victoria Square is a great example of private investment, which has brought thousands of jobs to Belfast.

"But what is most important is that people in Belfast have really taken it to their hearts and that is what we are most proud of," he said.

Kay Powell, Chair of the Judging Panel for the RTPI 2009 Planning Awards said: "The Victoria Square Regeneration Project is a stunning achievement which has real potential to unite communities in Belfast.

"Clever planning has ensured that Victoria Square is far from being a straightforward retail-led development; it has become part of the city rather than just a mall, with every facet of the footprint of the development connecting directly onto the surrounding city streets, bringing life and vitality well into the evening and beyond."

(NS/BMcC)

Related Northern Ireland News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.

26 November 2024
Campaign Launches To Raise Awareness Of Violence Against Women And Girls
A new digital and PR campaign has been launched to raise awareness of violence against women and girls.
04 January 2018
Belfast City Council To Reform Planning Services
Belfast City Council has announced it's intention to reform Planning Services, with a renewed focus on how it communicates with various customer groups. The announcement follows recommendations in a report it commissioned by Scotland's former Chief Planner, Jim Mackinnon CBE and broad consultation with a number of stakeholder groups.
15 April 2003
Victoria Square receives planning go ahead
Planning approval for the £250 million Victoria Square retail development centre in Belfast has been granted. The proposal is for 500,000 sq ft of retail space that will include offices, leisure, catering, residential and civic and cultural activities supported by associated servicing facilities and underground car parking.
17 January 2013
Belfast City Centre Works Announced
Motorists who use Belfast city centre could be in line for delays at the end of January, following the approval of the next phase of roadworks. Transport Minister Danny Kennedy has announced that the next phase of the Belfast on the Move works will begin on 28 January.
28 March 2024
Rates Suspension And Refunds For Victoria Square Apartment Owners
The owners of the disputed Victoria Square Apartments will no longer be charged rates, with refunds to be issued for rates paid since April 2019. The valuation of properties within the Victoria Square apartment block has been subject to review by Land & Property Services (LPS) as part of an ongoing valuation appeals process.