Connswater Community Greenway

Connswater Community Greenway

East Belfast

Coastal, waterways and wetlands

The Paul Hogarth Company Limited

East Belfast Partnership

Consultant Engineers: Buro Happold Planning Consultants: Farningham McCreadie, part of WYG Planning Cost Consultants and Planning Supervisors: WYG

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The Connswater River and its tributaries flow through East Belfast, connecting the Castlereagh Hills with Belfast Lough. However, this forgotten and polluted watercourse largely passes unnoticed, contributing little to the lives of people who live there. The Paul Hogarth Company was commissioned by East Belfast Partnership to design a community greenway along the length of the river, providing an extensive pathway network and space for wildlife and recreation. What began life as a pencil drawn doodle grew into a fully developed proposal, which, through consultation and close partnership working, secured planning permission and &pound23m Heritage Lottery Funding to bring about its delivery. The project was successful in two categories of the recent Waterways Renaissance Awards (established by The Waterways Trust and British Urban Regeneration Association).Once complete in 2013, the Connswater Community Greenway will be a valuable amenity for local people, providing opportunities for improved health and well being in east Belfast. A new civic square will be created, polluted waterways will be cleaned, and 19km of cycle and walkways with new and refurbished bridges will reconnect communities, local services and schools.