A public consultation has launched over plans to transform Ballysillan Playing Fields in Belfast into a new destination, mixed use public park.

The project will see the creation of a number of zones for sports, recreation, events, nature and education. A new central pathway will be installed, existing woodland areas will be enhanced, new open grass areas and wildflower areas will be added to encourage wildlife and areas of wetland will be created as a central feature of the new park.

The plans have been developed by The Executive Office's Urban Villages Initiative in partnership with Belfast City Council. It will be funded by the Executive, the Department for Infrastructure and the Department for Communities. The project will be delivered by Belfast City Council, who will manage the park when it opens.

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Belfast Lord Mayor, Alderman Frank McCoubrey, said: "I warmly welcome these exciting plans to transform Ballysillan Playing Fields into a space where people of all ages can get active and have fun in an attractive, safe, accessible and ecologically diverse parkland setting.

"This project supports the aspirations of the Belfast Agenda, the city’s community plan, which aims to improve the health and wellbeing of all our citizens and regenerate local communities. I would encourage the public to have their say on the proposals by taking part in the public consultation which is now underway.

"Our parks and open spaces are more popular than ever, enabling people to get outdoors and stay active. When it opens, this new park will be a huge boost to the local community, so I look forward to seeing the scheme progress and work getting underway."

The public consultation will run until 1 August 2021.