Laganside Corporation

The Laganside Corporation was a non-departmental public body formed by the Laganside Development (Northern Ireland) Order 1989 with the goal of regenerating large sections of land in Belfast, Northern Ireland adjacent to the River Lagan. This development area was expanded in 1996 to include areas closer to the city centre.

The Lagan riverside suffered in particular from poor environmental conditions and the decline of the shipbuilding industry in the 1970s and 80s.

The success of the Corporation is exemplified not only by its own undertakings but also by the regeneration of areas surrounding its development area, that is areas for which it has no responsibility. The primary example of this is the Victoria Square (Belfast) shopping development, one of Europe’s biggest commercial developments. And also the Odyssey (Belfast) one of Irelands largest arenas.

As an example of the areas growing importance to the city; BBC Northern Ireland use Laganside (specifically the river around Lanyon Place and Mays Meadow) as the backdrop for their local news bulletins, BBC Newsline.

The corporation was wound up in March 2007 and dissolved in July 2007 when it will have reached its £1 billion investment mark. Its responsibilities will be transferred to the Department for Social Development.