The Laganside Corporation is a public body formed by the Laganside Development (Northern Ireland) Order 1989 with the goal of regenerating large sections of land in Greater Belfast, Northern Ireland adjacent to the River Lagan. This development area was expanded in 1996 to include areas closer to the city centre.
The Lagan riverside suffered in particular from poor environmental conditions and the decline of the shipbuilding industry in the 1970s and 80s.
The success of the Corporation is exemplified not only by its own undertakings but also by the regeneration of areas surrounding its development area, that is areas for which it has no responsibility. The primary example of this is the Victoria Square shopping development, one of Europe’s biggest commercial developments.
As an example of the areas growing importance to the city; BBC Northern Ireland use Laganside (specifically the river around Lanyon Place and Mays Meadow) as the backdrop for their local news bulletins, BBC Newsline.
Objectives
Regeneration of designated areas by:
- bringing land and buildings into use
- encouraging investment and development of commerce and both existing and new industry
- creating an attractive environment
- encouraging people to live and work in the area by providing sufficient homes, recreational and cultural facilities
- contribute to the development of a positive international image of the city to encourage investment and tourism.
Developments
- Lagan Weir
The Lagan Weir, completed in 1994, is a weir built across the Lagan between the Queen Elizabeth Bridge and the M3 bridge (completed around the same time). The Lagan Weir was jointly funded by the Corporation and the European Commission. The objective of the structure is to keep the level of the river artificially constant, as it is a tidal river the level of the water varied up to three metres between high and low tide. This exposed mudflats which were unsightly and emitted a strong odour, particularly in the summer months. The transformation of the riverside by the construction of the weir has been a catalyst for development along the riverside. Another part of the project is the “Lagan Lookout” centre which explains the history and function of the weir as well as the history of the Lagan itself.
- Lanyon Place
Lanyon Place is in many ways the flagship development of the Corporation. The Waterfront Hall is located on the site as well as the BT Tower (BT’s Northern Ireland HQ) and the 5-star Hilton Hotel. The Lanyon Quay building was added recently.
- Odyssey
The Odyssey development was Northern Ireland main “Millennium Project.” A budget of £92 million was established; 49% funded by the Millennium Commission , 11% by the Laganside Corporation, 18.5% by the Department of Culture, Arts and Leisure, 18.5% by the Sheridan Group and 3.3% by the Sports Council. Completed in 2001 facilities include:
- Gasworks
This is a redevelopment of the city’s former Gasworks by Belfast City Council and Laganside Corporation. The development has retained much of the buildings of the gasworks which was closed in 1988, including the “Klondyke Building” which lines the Ormeau Road and its restored clock tower. The area between this and the Lagan has been cleared, including the removal of the site’s massive gas holders. The landmark tenant is the £45 million Halifax call centre building. Other tenants at the site include:
- Clarendon Dock
The first site to be completed, this has become a major business park as well as home to the Corporation.
- Mays Meadow
This site, adjacent to Lanyon Place, has become to major financial institutions, an Abbey call centre and the local headquarters of PricewaterhouseCoopers.
- Donegall Quay and “The Quays”
Donegall Quay is a road linking Oxford Street to Corporation Square. The quay itself is located north of the Lagan Weir, between it and the M3 bridge. In February 2005 Laganside announced the development of 26-storey residential tower, an eight-storey hotel and a seven-storey office building at Donegall Quay beside the Customs House. The tower will be Northern Ireland’s tallest building.
- Custom House Square
The Custom House Square, including the historic Custom House, is intended to improve the link between Laganside and the city centre.
- Cathedral Quarter
The area around St Anne’s Cathedral is intended to be an important cultural centre.
- Sirocco Waterfront
This area is a proposed residential and commerical development opposite Mays Meadow and Lanyon Place. This 16 acre site is one of the last large undeveloped areas in the Laganside area. Howden Sirocco built utility fans and heat exchangers at the site.
External links
