10 February 2026
SDLP North Belfast Councillor Carl Whyte has ensured that any future development at Grove Playing Fields in Belfast City Council’s draft pitches strategy will include GAA facilities.
He made the proposal at council on Monday evening.
Councillor Carl Whyte said:
“I have been committed to delivering the expansion of all sporting facilities in North Belfast, including GAA facilities. The current pitches strategy will see expanded facilities for football (3 pitches) and GAA (1) across various sites in the area delivered in the near future.
“The council supported my proposal last night that Grove Playing Fields, which has been identified for ‘future phases’ of development and therefore not included in the initial phase, will be subject to a full Masterplan which will include football, GAA and other sports.
“I was concerned that unlike similar schemes elsewhere in the city including Henry Jones Playing Fields, Ormeau and Victoria Park where future plans had been clearly spelled out, this was not the case for Grove Playing Fields. I sought this clarification to ensure that once the pitches strategy is agreed, the full benefit for Grove Playing Fields and all sports can be realised when it is eventually redeveloped.”