How the £70 million redeveloped Casement Park would have looked
AN SDLP councillor says there is still an opportunity for a new Casement Park stadium which “meets the needs of the community and the GAA”.
West Belfast reprentative Tim Attwood made the comments after Mr Justice Horner found SDLP Environment Minister Mark H Durkan’s decision to give the plans the green light as “flawed and unlawful”.
Said Mr Attwood: “Residents campaigned to have the Casement proposals rigorously tested.
“Today’s findings are certainly that.
“Their strong campaign and planning arguments were clearly vindicated by the judgment.
“The real issue is what happens next.
“People in West Belfast and residents around Casement have supported a new stadium and supported regeneration.
“A new Casement was not the issue.
“The issues were its scale, impact, safety, travel and respect for residents’ concerns.
“Following today’s judgment, there still remains an opportunity to fix all of this. The issues can be sorted. Peoples concerns can be addressed.
“The GAA can still have a world class, modern, sustainable stadium. That remains the opportunity.
“I believe it is essential that the GAA now sit down with local residents to discuss a stadium proposal which meets the needs of the local community and the GAA,” he added.
