Deadline looms for Northside masterplan

Jack Gleeson

NORTHSIDERS are being warned that the deadline is looming to make submissions to its Draft Masterplan for Belymane and Belcamp Lane that could see the future development of up to 3,000 homes and a new town centre.

The masterplan has been on display since July 16 but officials are concerned that many locals may have been distracted by Covid-19 restrictions and overlooked voicing their views on the proposals.

The deadline for submissions closes on Thursday (August 27) leaving residents with only days to express any concerns.

The Masterplan will shape the future development of the lands at Belmayne and Belcamp Lane at the Malahide Road Junction and provide guidance on issues such as building height, street layout, land use, block arrangement, housing density and public amenities.

It includes proposals for an urban town centre and residential area on the mostly council owned 24 hectares of land around the Clarehall/Northern Cross Junction.

The Belmayne land is about 15 hectares located to the north east of the Malahide Road Junction where a redevelopment is currently under construction and an allotment site is situated.

The Belcamp Lane land is about nine hectares at the south east of the junction where there are a number of one-off houses, Traveller halting sites and a residential development.

Overall plans for the land and surrounding areas include the creation of ‘links’ such as open spaces, cycleways and paths running ‘like beads along a necklace’ from Darndale Park to Fr Collins Park and through the newly developed lands.

A strategic Belmayne-Belcamp Link through the Masterplan area will prioritise movement for sustainable modes of transport such as walking, cycling and public transport.

For more on this story pick up a copy of Northside People (East edition) this week