'Sinn Fein opposition to all things British getting in way of what's best for Belfast': Row as nationalists delay £100m tourist project over BBC involvement
Sinn Fein has been accused of holding up a £100m tourist attraction out of an “ideological opposition” to the BBC being involved – because the broadcaster is British.
As the News Letter revealed in March, the BBC is being eyed as the anchor tenant of a major new development called ‘Belfast Stories’, planned for the iconic art deco Bank of Ireland building in the heart of the city.
But the idea has angered Sinn Fein, with the nationalists now trying to overturn a behind-closed-doors vote they lost earlier this month that seemed to pave the way for the broadcaster to move in.
The party has lodged a “call-in” that could see the decision sent back for another round of debates, and have raised the prospect of legal action.
That means the project is effectively on hold – something that’s got rival politicians worried, as the £100m tourist attraction is supposed to open its doors to 700,000 annual visitors four years from now.
Sinn Fein have claimed they’re motivated by concerns about a high-profile flagship development having “a financial relationship with a state broadcaster”. The DUP, however, believes it’s purely because the organisation is the British Broadcasting Corporation.
“Let’s be honest about what is really happening here,” said the unionist party’s group leader, Sarah Bunting. “If this proposal involved RTE instead of the BBC, Sinn Fein would be rushing to sign the agreement without a second thought.
“Their objection is not about governance or transparency, it is about the fact that the organisation involved happens to be British.
“Once again, Sinn Fein has allowed its ideological opposition to anything British to get in the way of what is best for Belfast.”
She went on to accuse the nationalists of raising concerns about financial scrutiny as “a convenient smokescreen for political ideology”.
Ms Bunting added: “Belfast deserves representatives who will judge proposals on their merits and on the benefits they deliver for our city, not on whether they fit a narrow constitutional agenda.
“The Belfast Stories project should be about celebrating our city strengthening our creative industries and delivering value for ratepayers. It should not become another battleground for Sinn Fein’s anti-British politics.
“The people of Belfast expect us to get on with delivering projects that create jobs and enhance our city’s reputation. They will rightly question why Sinn Fein is prepared to risk delaying a flagship development simply because the BBC is involved.”
One of the city’s most recognisable landmarks, the disused former Bank of Ireland is now nearing 100 years old. It’s to be repurposed as a “destination building” that combines tourist elements with sections aimed at Northern Ireland’s creative industries. In the BBC’s case, that’s understood to likely take the form of studios for TV, radio and online content.
Along with a large adjoining lot, the art deco building at the junction of Royal Avenue and North Street is also to feature a public space and roof garden. It’s to be ready by 2030.
Council discussions on what the project will involve have been shrouded in secrecy, almost entirely held behind closed doors. The BBC’s involvement was made public in March when an angry Sinn Fein councillor blurted it out during an open section of a meeting, which then saw the public and press hurriedly locked out.