Drivers Jonas has been appointed by the DETR to settle a battle between three major retail proposals in Belfast city centre.
The outcome of Drivers Jonas’ retail feasibility study will mean only one major shopping centre scheme is likely to get approval by the Belfast Regeneration Office.
Dublin-based Dunloe Ewart plans to build a £100m, 37,160 sq m (400,000 sq ft) scheme in the centre of Belfast while MEPC wants to double the size of its Castle Court centre to 65,000 sq m (700,000 sq ft). Multi Development Corporation plans a similarly-sized scheme in Victoria Square, on the periphery of the city’s prime retail area.
Graeme Tulley, head of local authority consultancy for Drivers Jonas, said the chosen scheme will be given help by compulsory purchase orders to assist land acquisition.
He said: ” We will be assessing the schemes on the basis of planning, transport, regeneration and commercial opportunities.”
It is understood that Drivers Jonas beat Ove Arup and WS Atkins to the Belfast Regeneration Office’s instruction. The feasibility study is expected to take three months to complete.
EGi News 22/04/99
