Northern Ireland round-up: Belfast office scheme includes the capital’s first roof-top running track; Nearly 500 new homes planned for Belfast

Belfast office scheme includes the capital’s first roof-top running track

A roof-top running track features in the detailed proposals for the £75 million regeneration and restoration of the listed former Belfast Telegraph offices in the capital’s city centre.

The Planner

Nearly 500 new homes planned for Belfast

Around 480 new homes will be built in Belfast over the next year, according to the latest investment plans from the country’s Housing Executive.

Belfast Telegraph

Initiative over devolution deadlock

The growing power vacuum in Northern Ireland is to be addressed by a new body set up despite the ongoing devolution deadlock at Stormont which means that the province is close to achieving an unwanted world record for a democracy without an elected administration.

Irish Times

Kircubbin distillery project

County Down distillery Echlinville has firmed up plans to develop a new visitor’s centre at its base in Kircubbin.

Belfast Telegraph

Co Tyrone wind farm readies itself

A 10-turbine wind farm located near Drumquin in County Tyrone is set to be fully operational shortly now that the construction phase has ended.

Insider Media

NI Planning Portal downtime

Essential maintenance work means that the NI Planning Portal and the public access site will be unavailable from 5pm on Friday 10 August and all day on Saturday 11 August.

Northern Ireland Executive

Save our shops strategy urged

Retail organisations have called on the administration to put a strategy in place to safeguard the retail industry in Northern Ireland following news that House of Fraser’s future remains in jeopardy.

Belfast Telegraph

Belfast opera house refurb proposed

The trust which controls the Grand Opera House in Belfast has submitted plans to the city council to refurbish the building ahead of its 125th anniversary in 2020.

BBC News

Former NI Housing Executive chief dies

Paddy McIntyre OBE, chief executive of the NI Housing Executive between 1999 and 2010 when he retired, has died at his home in Bangor, County Down.

Irish News