Boucher Road Playing Fields to stop hosting music events

Belfast is set to lose one of its biggest outdoor concert venues.

Boucher Road Playing Fields has hosted gigs in recent years by Bruce Springsteen, Fontaines DC and Snow Patrol.

Sinn Féin has said the land, owned by Belfast City Council, is to return to sports pitches and "community use".

The plan will go before councillors next week for ratification.

The playing fields, in the south of the city, can stage concerts for up to 40,000 people.

The change of use is not expected to begin until 2028 but that has not been confirmed.

Sinn Féin councillor Natasha Brennan said: "Boucher Road will soon be home to two full-size GAA (Gaelic Athletic Association) pitches and one intermediate soccer pitch, bringing significant benefits to hundreds of young players and clubs across the city.

"While in the past the site has been used for large-scale events, it will now return to community use as playing fields. The decision will be formally ratified at a full meeting of the council on Monday.

"I'm delighted that the playing fields will now return to their original purpose, alleviating significant issues faced by local residents during concert season as well as supporting local clubs."

It is believed there was opposition from some other parties within the council about the move, given the implications for the staging of large outdoor concerts in the city.

A report by council officers stated: "Members are asked to note those types of large-scale events bring a range of benefits to the city including direct income to the council, circa £300k a year including a social levy."