Plans will transform west of city

The proposals would highlight the Belfast hills

West Belfast needs "big projects which investors can back" to transform the area, a cross-community group has said.

The West Belfast and Greater Shankill Enterprise Council said its proposals could bring in millions of pounds in development and thousands of tourists.

One proposal is for a hotel and museum at upper Shankill at Fernhill House where there is an existing museum.

The council also has plans to turn the Falls Road into an Irish-speaking Gaeltacht quarter.

Supporters of the proposals acknowledge they have no funding at present, but said they may be able to find financial backing close to home.

Entrepreneurs

Council member Dr Mark Brotherson said there were some multi-millionaires in west Belfast and greater Shankill who wanted to develop the area.

"We have our own entrepreneurs who are willing to invest a lot of money in the area," he said.

"We just need support from the public sector in terms of planning and moving things forward."

Council chairman Padraic White said welcomed the return of the Northern Ireland Executive.

"The enterprise council looks to local ministers who understand the needs of local people to make decisions on a coherent regeneration strategy for the area over the new 12 months, taking account of the various proposals now on the table."

The council's proposals include plans for a destination centre on Black Mountain and an enterprise hub in parkland setting for knowledge-based industries.