Menu
16/06/2011
Belfast Focuses On Giant's Park
A major conference is taking place in Belfast this week which is looking at the regeneration and development of Giant's Park - the former Dargan Road landfill site.
Belfast City Council hosted the SufalNet4EU Conference which brought around 70 delegates from ten European member states to the city.
The conference in the City Hall was chaired by local economist and journalist John Simpson and focused primarily on attracting public and private finance for landfill regeneration.
SufalNet4EU (Sustainable Use of Former and Abandoned Landfill Network For You) is an Interreg IVC funded project designed to facilitate the sharing of a best practice approach to landfill regeneration.
The project is led by the province of Noord-Brabant in the Netherlands and Belfast City Council has been a partner since its inception in 2005.
The objective of SufalNet4EU is the preparation of site specific Action Plans setting out the methodology and process by which selected landfill sites can be made safe and brought into use to provide community benefits on a local and regional scale.
Welcoming the delegates to the City Hall on Wednesday, Belfast Mayor Councillor Niall Ó Donnghaile, said: "Belfast is at the forefront of landfill regeneration and the Giant’s Park is the largest landfill regeneration project in Europe.
"The council recognised a unique opportunity to redevelop the site and in doing so, provide great social, economic and environmental benefits for the whole of Belfast.
"The past four years have been spent making the site safe and preparing for redevelopment. Environmental protection measures, primarily site capping and a landfill gas extraction system, have been installed.
"Future plans for the site include the provision of a landmark public park with leisure and recreation facilities to serve the whole of the city and beyond as well as an innovative Environmental Resource Recovery Park," he said.
Simon Middelkamp, President of SufalNet4EU, said: "I would like to thank the Mayor for welcoming us to the City Hall and the council for hosting the SufalNet Coordination Conference in Belfast.
"The Belfast case looking at the redevelopment of the North Foreshore into the Giant's Park is giving our SufalNet4EU project best practices in how to involve the community in planning new uses on closed landfill sites.
"The Belfast case also provides us with best practice in financing a public area with private funding by attracting investors."
The delegates will visit Giant’s Park later as part of their visit as well as take in other parts of the city including the Titanic Quarter.
The North Foreshore Giant's Park comprises 340 acres and is the largest landfill regeneration project in Europe.
The council has already made significant progress towards developing the site. The land has been capped and methane, a potent greenhouse gas from decomposing waste, is collected and used to generate 'green' electricity at a new electricity generation facility, opened two years ago.
A new Waste Transfer Station at the site also manages Belfast's black bin waste and plans for a brown bin organic waste composting facility are progressing.
(GK/BMcC)
Belfast City Council hosted the SufalNet4EU Conference which brought around 70 delegates from ten European member states to the city.
The conference in the City Hall was chaired by local economist and journalist John Simpson and focused primarily on attracting public and private finance for landfill regeneration.
SufalNet4EU (Sustainable Use of Former and Abandoned Landfill Network For You) is an Interreg IVC funded project designed to facilitate the sharing of a best practice approach to landfill regeneration.
The project is led by the province of Noord-Brabant in the Netherlands and Belfast City Council has been a partner since its inception in 2005.
The objective of SufalNet4EU is the preparation of site specific Action Plans setting out the methodology and process by which selected landfill sites can be made safe and brought into use to provide community benefits on a local and regional scale.
Welcoming the delegates to the City Hall on Wednesday, Belfast Mayor Councillor Niall Ó Donnghaile, said: "Belfast is at the forefront of landfill regeneration and the Giant’s Park is the largest landfill regeneration project in Europe.
"The council recognised a unique opportunity to redevelop the site and in doing so, provide great social, economic and environmental benefits for the whole of Belfast.
"The past four years have been spent making the site safe and preparing for redevelopment. Environmental protection measures, primarily site capping and a landfill gas extraction system, have been installed.
"Future plans for the site include the provision of a landmark public park with leisure and recreation facilities to serve the whole of the city and beyond as well as an innovative Environmental Resource Recovery Park," he said.
Simon Middelkamp, President of SufalNet4EU, said: "I would like to thank the Mayor for welcoming us to the City Hall and the council for hosting the SufalNet Coordination Conference in Belfast.
"The Belfast case looking at the redevelopment of the North Foreshore into the Giant's Park is giving our SufalNet4EU project best practices in how to involve the community in planning new uses on closed landfill sites.
"The Belfast case also provides us with best practice in financing a public area with private funding by attracting investors."
The delegates will visit Giant’s Park later as part of their visit as well as take in other parts of the city including the Titanic Quarter.
The North Foreshore Giant's Park comprises 340 acres and is the largest landfill regeneration project in Europe.
The council has already made significant progress towards developing the site. The land has been capped and methane, a potent greenhouse gas from decomposing waste, is collected and used to generate 'green' electricity at a new electricity generation facility, opened two years ago.
A new Waste Transfer Station at the site also manages Belfast's black bin waste and plans for a brown bin organic waste composting facility are progressing.
(GK/BMcC)
Related Northern Ireland Business News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
25 February 2020
Belfast Chamber Outlines Plans For The City To Infrastructure Minister
Minister for Infrastructure Nichola Mallon is under pressure to "think big" about connectivity plans in and to Belfast City Centre.
Belfast Chamber Outlines Plans For The City To Infrastructure Minister
Minister for Infrastructure Nichola Mallon is under pressure to "think big" about connectivity plans in and to Belfast City Centre.
23 July 2009
Belfast 'Twelfth' Was Shopping Hit
Initial feedback on the commercial impact of Belfast shops being open over the traditional 'Twelfth' celebration has been excellent. This year's event, titled 'Orangefest' on 13 July witnessed Belfast city centre shops opening on the day of the parades for the first time.
Belfast 'Twelfth' Was Shopping Hit
Initial feedback on the commercial impact of Belfast shops being open over the traditional 'Twelfth' celebration has been excellent. This year's event, titled 'Orangefest' on 13 July witnessed Belfast city centre shops opening on the day of the parades for the first time.
22 February 2018
Business Leaders To Present Investment Opportunities In Cannes
More than 70 Belfast business leaders will travel to MIPIM in Cannes, where they will present a portfolio of major real estate investment and development opportunities in the city to a potential audience of over 28,000 international property investors, developers and occupiers.
Business Leaders To Present Investment Opportunities In Cannes
More than 70 Belfast business leaders will travel to MIPIM in Cannes, where they will present a portfolio of major real estate investment and development opportunities in the city to a potential audience of over 28,000 international property investors, developers and occupiers.
18 May 2018
Lord Mayor Cuts The Ribbon On New Maldron Hotel
The Lord Mayor of Belfast, Nuala McAllister, has cut the ribbon on the new four-star Maldron Hotel Belfast City, the latest addition to the Dalata Hotel Group. After a soft opening in early March, Maldron Hotel Belfast City has had an excellent start and has already found a willing audience from both business and tourist guests alike.
Lord Mayor Cuts The Ribbon On New Maldron Hotel
The Lord Mayor of Belfast, Nuala McAllister, has cut the ribbon on the new four-star Maldron Hotel Belfast City, the latest addition to the Dalata Hotel Group. After a soft opening in early March, Maldron Hotel Belfast City has had an excellent start and has already found a willing audience from both business and tourist guests alike.
23 November 2017
Lord Mayor Nuala McAllister Leads Business Mission To London
Eight Belfast companies are joining Belfast Lord Mayor Nuala McAllister on a business mission to London. The delegation will attend a networking reception and buyer forum at the Mansion House this evening - one of the first events to be hosted by the new Lord Mayor of the City of London, Charles Bowman.
Lord Mayor Nuala McAllister Leads Business Mission To London
Eight Belfast companies are joining Belfast Lord Mayor Nuala McAllister on a business mission to London. The delegation will attend a networking reception and buyer forum at the Mansion House this evening - one of the first events to be hosted by the new Lord Mayor of the City of London, Charles Bowman.
-
Northern Ireland WeatherToday:A showery start with outbreaks most frequent north of Lough Neagh and through the morning, before dwindling during the afternoon as the northwest breezes ease and brighter spells of weak sunshine prosper. Maximum temperature 8 °C.Tonight:A dry night, save for a few light showers around the coasts, with prolonged clear spells and light winds bringing a frosty dawn for many in central and southern parts. Minimum temperature -3 °C.
