Time For Tall Buildings
ROBIN Newton East Belfast DUP Councillor and MLA has welcomed the statement by the Environment Minister Edwin Poots that he is considering a planning policy statement on high rise buildings and “is comfortable with the principle.”
Robin Newton said,
“Having been a member of a Belfast City Council all party delegation to the DoE seeking the development of a Belfast tall buildings policy I am pleased Minister Poots is moving forward on the matter.
There can be no doubt that the absence of a policy has held back the development of the city as a modern European city. A policy will offer opportunities for private sector investment, help create jobs in construction and attract global companies with growth potential.
The skyline of Belfast can be enhanced and the image of the city improved with an opportunity to stamp an identity on the city with the construction of icon type buildings. Belfast’s skyline identity could become recognised internationally if the policy is vigilantly thought out and carefully implemented; as is the case in cities throughout the world.
This is a major opportunity, not only for Belfast, but with the city being the economic driver for Northern Ireland the ripple effect would benefit all other parts of the province.
I look forward as a Councillor to being consulted as the policy is developed and feel certain this step by Minister will be welcomed by the Council as a whole.”
