‘Plan will improve housing and create local employment’

The university was responding to remarks made by local Councillor Tom Campbell last week, when he urged UU chiefs to include provision for a new primary school and a GP surgery in their plans.

After meeting with officials to discuss the plans for the Jordanstown site following the university’s move to its new £250m Belfast campus, due to take place by 2018, the Alliance Party representative said: “The current primary school in the area is already over-subscribed and there are no local health facilities. While there is an area designated within the plans as community space, it doesn’t seem large enough to cope with the demands the new inhabitants would bring.

“I met with the university to outline my concerns with their plans. And I requested specifically that their plans should consider supporting a school and a GP’s practice.”

Stressing that the university is still only at the stage of seeking outline planning permission for its development application, a UU spokesperson commented: “The University of Ulster is seeking to ensure the future development of the Jordanstown campus enhances the local neighbourhood and presents opportunities for creating local employment and improved housing provision.”

UU sports facilities, halls of residence and a fire safety research facility will remain at the Jordanstown site.