{"id":22503,"date":"2021-07-28T09:57:53","date_gmt":"2021-07-28T13:57:53","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/irishexaminerusa.com\/wp\/?p=22503"},"modified":"2021-07-28T12:59:50","modified_gmt":"2021-07-28T16:59:50","slug":"green-light-given-for-new-gaa-stadium-at-casement-park","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/irishexaminerusa.com\/wp\/?p=22503","title":{"rendered":"Green Light Given For New GAA Stadium At Casement Park"},"content":{"rendered":"

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The old Casement Park stadium in Belfast (Liam McBurney\/PA)<\/figcaption><\/figure>Final planning approval for a new GAA stadium at Casement Park in Belfast has been granted.<\/p>\n

The North’s Infrastructure Minister Nichola Mallon hailed a \u201chistoric day\u201d for the GAA as she gave the green light for the 34,578-capacity stadium on their existing site on the Andersonstown Road.<\/p>\n

The decision means the GAA is a step closer to being able to develop the site, although questions still remain over funding for the project and potential legal challenges by residents.<\/p>\n

Ms Mallon said: \u201cThis is an historic day for the GAA in Ulster and for Gaels across our island.<\/p>\n

\u201cLast October I announced my intention to grant planning approval and I am delighted that all the statutory processes have now been completed to make that decision official and allow the Ulster Council of the GAA to proceed with their development plans.<\/p>\n

\u201cThis has been a long and complex process, predating my time as minister, however we must now move forward and see progress on the ground, progress that will bring many sporting, social and economic benefits not just to west Belfast but right across the city and beyond.\u201d<\/p>\n

She added: \u201cThis will be fantastic news for the GAA family across Ulster and Ireland, particularly with the Ulster Final taking place this Sunday.<\/p>\n

\u201cHere\u2019s to an exciting Ulster final and many memorable games to come in a new state-of-the-art stadium in Casement, now that the GAA is to finally have the home it deserves in Ulster.\u201d<\/p>\n

The redevelopment of Casement Park has been delayed for several years.<\/p>\n

Last year a Stormont committee heard that costs for the project had risen from \u00a377 million (\u20ac90.5 million) to \u00a3112 million (\u20ac131 million) in the last seven years.<\/p>\n

The GAA\u2019s efforts to develop the old stadium site in west Belfast have been mired in controversy, with initial planning approval for a 38,000-capacity venue quashed by the High Court in 2014 following a challenge by nearby residents.<\/p>\n

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