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<p>Bankmore Exchange, formerly known as One Bankmore Square, was previously the location of a four storey building that housed a cinema and two ground floor commercial units. The cinema comprised of 10 screens with seating capacities ranging from 118 to 436 seats. The cinema opened in July 1993 (Z/1990/2630) under the MGM brand. The cinema changed operators numerous times throughout its history, with Virgin taking over on 4th July 1996, UGC taking over in February 2000 and then later taken over by local independent operator Movie House chain in December 2003. The commercial units had numerous tenants throughout the years too such as the Chicago Pizza Pie Factory, Stiff Kitten, Burger King, Abbots fast food takeway, Stann and Olly's Restaurant and Factory Nightclub. A mutli storey car park was also constructed as part of the cinema project (both built under <a href="https://planningregister.planningsystemni.gov.uk/application/389269" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Z/1990/2630</a>).</p><p><br></p><p>In March 2017, Richland Belfast One Ltd submitted a planning application (<a href="https://planningregister.planningsystemni.gov.uk/application/498821" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">LA04/2017/0562/F</a>) proposing to demolish the existing cinema building and to develop a new 12 storey Grade A office building comprising eleven floors of offices above a ground floor foyer and retail units and basement parking. The plans also proposed the refurbishment of Bankmore Square open space and wider public realm improvements to surrounding footpath network. This application was recommended approval in the <a href="https://minutes.belfastcity.gov.uk/ieListDocuments.aspx?CId=167&MId=8331&Ver=4" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">May 2017 Belfast City Council Planning Committee</a> but was later withdrawn in December 2020. </p><p><br></p><p>In February 2019, Kainos Group plc announced that it had bought the One Bankmore Square site for £7.05million. The company stated that it wanted to build it's new flagship headquarters to house 1000 staff members. Kainos chief executive Brendan Mooney also confirmed that the company will submit its own planning application for an office complex of around half that size of the office development previously proposed.</p><p><br></p><p>In Febraury 2020, Kainos submitted a Proposal of Application Notice (<a href="https://planningregister.planningsystemni.gov.uk/application/506085" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">LA04/2020/0297/PAN</a>) proposing to develop a new £40m office on the site.</p><p><br></p><p>Movie House Cinema announced their Dublin Road site would close on 26th April 2020. However, this closure was postponed and the site closed in March 2020 due to the the Covid-19 pandemic.</p><p><br></p><p>In May 2021, McCormack Demolition began to demolish the Movie House Cinema building.</p><p><br></p><p>In July 2021, Seven7Social Ltd submitted a planning application (<a href="https://planningregister.planningsystemni.gov.uk/application/509015" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">LA04/2021/1703/F</a>) seeking the temporary erection (for 2 years) of shipping containers to form an outdoor public house, food and retail market with associated covered canopies, seating and bounsary treatments. This application was approved in May 2022. As part of these plans, Kainos is to temporarily lease its Bankmore Square site to a social enterprise, which is proposing for a pop-up street food and independent retail market. This new development was to be called 'Box Office', a nod to the former Movie House and Dublin Road’s cinema history. It was originally due to open in September 2021.</p><p><br></p><p>Box Office later changed their name to 'Trademarket Belfast' due to a "trademark dispute". In June 2022, work began to take place on site, with Trademarket Belfast stating they were expecting to open later that month. The following food and retail vendors were announced for the new outdoor retail and food market; Pipián, Outside In, Pi Guy, Moon Gelato, Barkey and Waggins, Pie Queen, Rebel and Ruse, Urban Market, Kubo and Hey Chick!</p><p><br></p><p>In October 2022, Kainos sold half of its new headquarters site to Queen's University. Queens University intends to develop student accommodation on their section of the site. A development brief suggests the Queen's University's Dublin Road site could accommodate about 400 student rooms in a 13-storey tower. Kainos will also now proceed with the selection of a contractor for the construction of the new office building. It expects the project to cost between £27m and £30m.</p><p><br></p><p>In September 2023, the Pre-Application Community Consultation for Bankmore Square went live which proposed plans for a Grade A Office development for Kainos and Purpose-Built Managed Student Accommodation for QUB at 14 Dublin Road, Belfast, BT2 7HN (<a href="https://bankmoresquare.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://bankmoresquare.com/</a>).</p><p><br></p><p>In November 2023, Kainos submitted a planning application (<a href="https://planningregister.planningsystemni.gov.uk/application/679804" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">LA04/2023/4366/F</a>) proposing the development of a 14 storey (plus basement) purpose-Built Grade A Office premises with retail/restaurant unit at ground floor, including external landscaped terrace areas, public realm works, and all associated site works. This application was approved in April 2024 by the Belfast City Council Planning Committee.</p><p><br></p><p>Construction of the new Kainos HQ is due to start in September with a completion target of early 2027.</p>

<p>Casement Park is the principal Gaelic games stadium in Belfast and serves as the home ground of the Antrim football and hurling teams. It is located on a 12 acre site on the Andersonstown Road and is planned to be developed into an all-seated venue, which will become the largest stadium in Ulster and a regional flagship for Ulster GAA.</p><p><br></p><p>The site was undeveloped and used as agricultural land until 1931. The Antrim County Board bought the greenfield site with money generated through a weekly fundraiser to acquire the site. Sean McGettigan, one of the prime movers in acquiring Casement Park, announced in December 1946 that the site had been acquired and paid for. Paddy O’Keefe, the General Secretary of the GAA, travelled up from Dublin to present the Antrim County Board with £1000 from Central Council. Casement Park was developed in 1953 where fill was imported onto the site and used to construct the embankments for the stadium terraces. </p><p><br></p><p>In 1997 to coincide with an improving political situation and plans to host bigger games, concrete terracing replaced the grass banks which surrounded much of the playing field. The major facelift was complete in 1999, leading to more championship games being played at the 32,000-capacity ground.</p><p><br></p><p>In 2005, a planning application was submitted (<a href="https://epicpublic.planningni.gov.uk/publicaccess/applicationDetails.do?keyVal=L4MEHYSVDT290&activeTab=summary" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Z/2005/2326/F</a>) proposing the addition of 4 flood lights to the stadium. This was approved in December 2005 with the floodlights being completed in 2006. This enabled games to be played after dark.</p><p><br></p><p>In 2007, a planning application was submitted (<a href="https://epicpublic.planningni.gov.uk/publicaccess/applicationDetails.do?keyVal=L4MEHASVDT814&activeTab=summary" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Z/2007/2074/F</a>) for the erection of new three storey control room, new gates and alterations to existing boundary walls at existing exits. This was approved in October 2007. The state-of-the-art control room was completed in August 2009. The £1.3 million contract was completed by Downpatrick-based building and civil engineering firm John Turley & Co. Ltd.</p><p><br></p><p>Plans to redevelop Casement Park were announced in 2009, though it was not until 2011 that the Northern Ireland Executive announced that it had granted £138m for various stadium redevelopment projects throughout Northern Ireland, of which Ulster GAA would receive £61.4m to be used to redevelop Casement Park into a 40,000 all-seated stadium. A further £15 million was proposed from the Central Council of the Gaelic Athletic Association.</p><p><br></p><p>In 2013, Ulster GAA submitted a planning application (<a href="https://epicpublic.planningni.gov.uk/publicaccess/applicationDetails.do?keyVal=MOOUH6SV30000&activeTab=summary" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Z/2013/0685/F</a>) seeking the re-development of Casement Park to provide a 38,000 seated capacity stadium comprising; demolition of existing facilities, construction of new pitch and stands, incorporating bar/restaurant and ancillary kitchen areas, conference, training and community facilities, including handball courts, ancillary offices, player accommodation and welfare facilities, press/media and broadcast facilities; replacement floodlighting, stadium/event management suite, ground support facilities including electronic display installations, facilities associated with ground maintenance; enhanced access arrangements; coach parking; underground car parking; remediation/replacement of site boundaries; hard and soft landscaping. This application was approved in December 2013.</p><p><br></p><p>In December 2014, a high court judge quashed the ministerial decision by Environment Minister Mark H Durkan to grant planning approval for the redevelopment of Casement Park. This was the result of local residents group, the Mooreland and Owenvarragh Residents’ Association (MORA), who objected and went to court, asking for a judicial review. The judge, Mr Justice Horner, ruled the environment minister had acted unlawfully in approving the plan and found the decision-making process had been fundamentally flawed. He identified failures in the environmental impact assessment of the plan and also found that the effect of bigger crowds on the surrounding roads network had not been properly examined. The judge also pointed to the minister never being told of police concerns about safety issues around having 38,000 people attending an event.</p><p><br></p><p>In February 2017, Ulster GAA submitted a new planning application (<a href="https://epicpublic.planningni.gov.uk/publicaccess/applicationDetails.do?keyVal=OMEBLQSV30000&activeTab=summary" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">LA04/2017/0474/F</a>) seeking the redevelopment of Casement Park, but with a reduced capcity of 34,578. This application was approved in July 2021.</p><p><br></p><p>In April 2022, the Mooreland and Owenvarragh Residents’ Association (MORA) sought a Judicial Review of former Infrastructure Minister Nichola Mallon’s decision to grant planning permission for the redevelopment of Casement Park. They objected to its size and and impact on the surrounding area. In May 2022, High Court judge Mr Justice Humphreys dismissed MORA's legal challenge stating the minister was entitled to approve the planning application without referring it to the executive and did not accept MORA's arguments on a series of alleged errors in the planning process. Mr Justice Humphreys held that other Stormont ministers were fully briefed, and that Ms Mallon retained legal authority to take the decision.</p><p><br></p><p>In July 2022, Ulster Council GAA submitted a planning application (<a href="https://epicpublic.planningni.gov.uk/publicaccess/applicationDetails.do?activeTab=summary&keyVal=RFQFEYSV30000" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">LA04/2022/1422/A</a>) proposing hoarding along the front of Casement Park Stadium.</p><p><br></p><p>In 2023, Ulster GAA hoped that work would begin on Casement Park in 2023 and for it to be complete for 2025.</p><p><br></p><p>On 10th October 2023, the UK and Ireland were announced as the hosts of the Euros 2028. Casement Park is included as part of their bid, with both the British and Irish governments pledging extra funds to develop the stadium.</p><p><br></p><p>On 15th February 2024, Ulster GAA announced that pre-enabling works for Casement Park will commence on 19th February 2024. They will continue throughout March and this will be followed by site clearance from April to June, including the removal of the old terracing.</p><p><br></p><p>On 20th February, the Irish Government announced that it would be allocating €50 million for the redevelopment of Casement Park in west Belfast as part of new funding worth €800m (£685m) for cross-border projects.</p><p><br></p><p>See flythrough of Casement Park re-development proposals <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KFSp3g9gquA" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">here</a>.</p><p><br></p>