Belfast Power

Belfast Power Limited are proposing to develop a state-of-the-art gas-fired power station at Airport Road West in the Belfast Harbour Estate. The erection of 480MW Combined Cycle Gas Turbine (CCGT) Power Station including associated offices, workshop, underground gas pipeline and electrical connection, Belfast Harbour Estate.

The station will be complimentary to renewable energy generation reducing the region’s CO2 emissions. The project also represents a £280 million investment which will create 700 jobs during construction and 50 full-time roles when operational.

Issues:

• The scale and height of the project in relation to the nearby Belfast City Airport, and the potential spatial and environmental complexity of delivering the necessary gas and electrical infrastructure to the site
• The location of the site in close proximity to and partially within Belfast Lough, an international and nationally designated environmental site
• The location of the site on an area of reclaimed land, potential issues with ground gas and ground stability.

Gravis Planning’s Involvement:

Acting as planning advisors to Belfast Power Ltd., Gravis Planning managed the overall Planning and Environmental Impact Assessment process, coordinating a multi-disciplinary team of environmental sub-consultants to prepare the required Environmental Statement for the project. Intensive pre-application discussion took place with Department for Infrastructure’s Strategic Projects team and other key government agencies to ensure a robust front loaded planning submission.

Gravis Planning also led the pre-application community consultation process, communicating key information about the proposed project to the local community, elected representatives and the surrounding business community. This helped build community confidence in the project and encourage public feedback and shape the final design solution.