18,000
Capacity Venue
National Stadium and Olympia Sports Village
RPS was commissioned by the Irish Football Association (IFA) to provide planning consultancy for the redevelopment of the National Football Stadium (formerly Windsor Park) in Belfast.
Subsequently, RPS was commissioned by Belfast City Council to undertake planning services for the relocation of the Olympia Leisure Centre and the development of a sports village and mixed-use site, directly adjacent to the National Football Stadium.
Key details
Project name:
National Stadium and Olympia Sports Village
Client:
Irish Football Association (IFA)
Location:
Belfast, UK
Services provided:
- Planning application
- Stakeholder consultation
- Noise and air quality assessments
- Contaminated land assessments
Challenge
The National Stadium project involved the refurbishment and extension of the north and west stands and full replacement of the south and east stands. We also provided hard and soft landscaping with lighting and display installations, coach and car parking, and player accommodation and welfare facilities.
The Olympia Sports village proposal required the demolition and relocation of the existing leisure services to be accommodated within the new stadium. This included improved 4G pitches, lighting, access and ancillary facilities and a mixed-use (retail and hotel) development.
The site was constrained by adjacent land uses on all sides, including road and railways, residential and industrial/commercial development. In particular, issues around traffic, over shadowing and event management were key considerations in the project development.
Solution
We submitted the planning application and supporting environmental information for the National Football Stadium. In advance of the submission, we held Pre-Application Discussions (PAD) through a coordinated, formal stakeholder engagement process with statutory undertakers, community and political groups including local residents and businesses. The formal, pre-application consultation was part of a pilot programme for sports stadia in Northern Ireland. Planning permission on this major Article 31 infrastructure project was secured within just 13 weeks of submission.
We also obtained planning permission for a new pedestrian access to the stadium from the adjacent rail link in a bid to improve access and encourage the use of public transport.
Following receipt of the planning approval for the National Stadium, we undertook planning services for the relocation of the Olympia Leisure Centre and the development of the sports village. We secured planning approval to facilitate all elements of the development including amendments to the stadium approval, to allow the relocation of the Olympia Leisure centre to within the stadium structure.
Planning permission was also obtained for new 4G pitches, lighting, access, open space and ancillary uses. Outline planning permission was also secured for mixed-use development (retail and hotel) on the site.
In addition to planning services, we completed environmental reports including noise, air quality and contaminated land assessments.
Project statistics
13 weeks
planning permission approved after submission
80,000 m2
Overall development footprint
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Key contacts
Ray Holbeach
Director - Planning and Environment (Northern Ireland)