D3 Planning Amendment
Location – D3, Airport Road West, Belfast, BT3
9DY (adjacent to RSPB Reserve)
Project Summary & Regional Benefits
Belfast Harbour currently has planning consent (ref. LA04/2016/0421/F) for the development of a deepwater quay and supporting land development at the D3 site on Airport Road West.
The project will see the £90m construction of a new dual purpose deepwater quay which will be able to accommodate some of the
world’s largest cruise vessels, while also expanding the port’s capacity for offshore wind turbine assembly and installation.
With 146 cruise vessels scheduled to berth at Belfast Harbour this year, Belfast is already the busiest cruise port on the island and
second busiest cruise port in the UK. The investment will futureproof Belfast’s position as a leading city for cruise tourism. It
will also enable the growth of the already significant contribution of cruise tourism to the regional economy, estimated at between £20m-£25m per year.
From 2028, Belfast Harbour hopes to utilise the facility to support offshore wind development as well as cruise. As offshore wind technology evolves, ports will play an increasingly central role and Belfast Harbour is uniquely placed, through this development, to be a key enabler of the power stations of the future in the Irish, Celtic and North Seas.
Construction has commenced onsite and is due be completed in time for the 2028 cruise season.
Requested Amendments
Belfast Harbour wishes to make the following amendments to the terrestrial elements of the extant Planning Permission ref LA04/2016/0421/F
- Upgrade
of an existing access track along the eastern boundary of the site and installation of associated street lighting/parking area/security
hut; - Relocation of the cruise terminal building and associated parking/drop-off areas further north/northeast on the site
- Construction of an additional baggage building;
- Other associated site works in respect of lighting, landscaping, ancillary infrastructure and existing access adjacent to RSPB lands.
As part of our D3 Community Consultation, we’re inviting local residents and stakeholders to share their views and help shape the
upcoming planning application.
If you’re unable to attend one of our public information events, you can still get involved—full details about the project are available
in the document linked below.
Public Information Events –
24th June 2025 15.00-19.00 at Belfast Harbour Office,
Corporation Square, BT1 3AL
26th June 2025 15.00-19.00 at Holywood Library, BT18 9AE
We would welcome your views and comments on the proposed revisions and invite you to submit your comments to our
project team on the feedback form at the following link: https://forms.microsoft.com/r/yzBHVF41z5
