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People still have two weeks to give their opinion on a major redevelopment plan for the dominance of Belfast Cathedral Gardens in an urban forest and event space.
Belfast City Council is giving others the opportunity to speak out in an inquiry into plans to reshape the cathedral’s gardens, also known as Buoys Park, into a “world-class public area for other people to gather and play”. The public consultation will close on 23 May.
The Cathedral Gardens, bounded by York Street and Academy Street, lie between St Anne’s Cathedral and the University of Ulster.
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The plan for the domain refers to an urban forest, described by the council as comprising a “diverse combination of trees with tall awnings, creating ‘forest’ and domain rooms for large-scale events, adding musical events and markets.
There will be new tree, soil and shrub plantations aimed at attracting a large number of local species of birds, insects and invertebrates, and a new water and lighting fountain, with interactive audiovisual art. Rainwater will be stored and reused in the lawn and in water bodies.
A new main art will be commissioned, along with smaller works, and a new monument to commemorate the Belfast Blitz.
Development will focus on play for young people. The council says: “A hot area for young people is a key consideration. Play elements, art and water elements and learning sculptures are included in the forest rooms, while concentrated events for young people will be scheduled as part of more important occasions in the area.
The public consultation should take place here.
In 2020, a £250,000 pop-up park was installed on the site, designed for toddlers and number one school-age children.
Last year, a council report on the proposal said: “A key asset in the city centre in terms of open area is the Cathedral Gardens” and council agents added that they had “identified the opportunity to provide significant new open areas and green opportunities through connecting St Anne’s Cathedral with the cathedral gardens and writers’ square”.
The report adds: “The redevelopment of the cathedral gardens provides a significant opportunity to inject an indispensable quality public urban area into the city centre.
“The domain adjacent to the cathedral gardens and its surroundings is home to a history of production and cultural identity. This is a domain that is evolving thanks to a combination of commercial, educational and real estate advancements that are transforming this part of Belfast into a colourful new blended use district for the city.
The plan’s promoters, Hassell, say: “The master plan aims to provide a greener, more sustainable, more walkable and more connected area with the city as a whole.
“Located adjacent to the University of Ulster and historic St Anne’s Cathedral, this once-overlooked venue provides a diversity of new flexible spaces ranging from sprawling gardens where visitors can rest to shaded and tree-lined event spaces for food markets, floral arrangements and music festivals.
“The cathedral’s long-term gardens will also offer a sustainable oasis of nature-inspired calm thanks to the planting of an urban forest designed to replace the seasons and attract local wildlife.
“The forest, grass and planted grass will be fed through rainwater collected and stored at the site. Artwork ranging from giant installations to smaller grass art trails, an interactive water fountain, audio-visual and lighting displays, and spaces for cafes and restaurants will blend together to create a colorful new position where other people can gather and play day and night. “
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