Casement Park: GAA set to scale back redevelopment plans

Casement Park: GAA set to scale back redevelopment plans

The GAA looks set to scale back its plans to redevelop Casement Park, BBC News NI understands.

It is expected the ground capacity will now be much lower than the 34,000 previously planned.

As a result it will not be able to stage Ulster senior final matches but will instead be used for other provincial fixtures.

While Ulster GAA would not confirm the redevelopment is being scaled back, a statement said they remain “fully committed” and that their “project team is currently reviewing options” in delivering the new stadium.

The association added: “We will continue to work closely with all funding partners to honour the long-standing commitments made to see major GAA games returning to our redeveloped provincial stadium in Belfast.”

The move comes amid a long running dispute over funding for the project.

The development was also delayed over prolonged planning disputes.

Rebuilding the west Belfast stadium was estimated to cost about £260m of which £120m was jointly in place from the Stormont Executive, the Irish government and the GAA.

The UK government had pledged a further £50m as part of the spending review which left a shortfall of £90m.

It is understood some in the GAA felt there was question mark over the government’s financial commitment, which has prompted a rethink.

A Northern Ireland Office spokesperson said the UK government remains committed to providing £50m of capital funding over four years to the executive to support the redevelopment.

The Department for Communities said minister Gordon Lyons has “consistently said the GAA must develop a project that is sustainable, affordable, reasonable and value for money”.

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