NI Social Development Minister, Margaret Ritchie, has announced the start of a consultation week on designs for a renewed Bank Square in Belfast City Centre.

The draft proposals have been developed by RPS Planning and Environment Ltd on behalf of the Department for Social Development (DSD). The consultants have worked closely with DSD and in conjunction with Belfast City Council and key city centre stakeholders, as well as traders and property owners in the area.

Margaret Ritchie said: "I am grateful to all those organisations who have contributed to the development of the designs. The Westside Masterplan, which I launched in September of last year, emphasised the importance of a revitalised Bank Square in this part of the city.

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"The designs that are on show from today include proposals on the lighting and paving of the Square, as well as ideas on performance space and active uses, to bring the Square to life and to address anti-social behaviour. We hope to create a high quality, well designed shared space in the city centre that local people and visitors alike can use and enjoy."

The Minister continued: "I would encourage all those who work, shop, and walk through this part of the city centre to give their opinion on the proposals so that we can move forward with our plans to renew the area, building on the £28million investment that my Department has made across the city centre through the Belfast Streets Ahead project.

"I would like to thank Berry Street Presbyterian Church for providing their premises, adjacent to the Square, for this display."

(NS/GK)