LISTEN: Plans for £500m Tribeca project and £12m aquarium approved by Belfast City Council

By Q Radio News

Belfast City Council's planning committee has approved a controversial application to redevelop part of the city centre.

The 500-million pounds Tribeca regeneration project could create hundreds of jobs.

It was given the go-ahead last night despite objections.

Agustina Martire is from the Save Cathedral Quarter campaign.

The scheme has attracted controversy with over 500 letters of objection sent to Belfast City Council since July.

However Belfast Chamber chief executive Simon Hamilton welcomed the decision. 

"This £500m investment will create 600 jobs during construction and 1,600 when finished and regenerate this important part of the city,'' he said. 

''It's a much needed boost for the Belfast economy," 

Plans for a £12m aquarium were also given the green light by Belfast City Council.

The reefLIVE attraction will be located on Queen's Road opposite the Titanic Hotel and a short distance from Titanic Belfast.

It's managing director Keith Thomas said: "We are thrilled with Belfast City Council's decision to approve our aquarium, which has received a tremendous amount of public support since its original announcement last year.

"Our commitment to building our first reefLIVE aquarium in Belfast is testament to the city's track record for tourism excellence and an unwavering confidence that sustained investment in Northern Ireland's tourism and leisure sector will prove vital for the region's recovery in a post-Covid world."

There was however opposition the aquarium which Investors hope will become the largest marine life attraction for tourists across Ireland.

Ards and North Down Borough Council said it would impact the Exploris aquarium in Portaferry.

Infrastructure Minister Nichola Mallon was urged to intervene with the council pointing out the difficulty in getting specialist staff and how a drop in visitors could affect Portaferry and the borough.

The aquarium's exterior has been designed by Ethos Architects, while the interior has been devised by a world-leading design team led by Kay Elliott Architects and Theme 3 to create "an aquarium for the 21st century".

An opening date is set for 2022 the creation of 50 jobs and 300,000 visitors a year expected.