Planning Committee approve more major residential developments, QUB clinical research facility and other applications this evening.
Further major residential developments have been approved for Belfast at this month’s Planning Committee.
The green light was given for 33 dwellings at the former Belvoir Park Hospital site in south Belfast. The scheme will enable the restoration of three dilapidated listed former pavilions; deliver enhanced equipped open space for existing and new residents; secure five category 1 social /affordable houses and improved links for existing housing to Ballylesson Road and adjacent woodland.
Approval was also granted for 55 apartments - a mix of social and private units, at Gaffikin Street, Sandy Row.
The Planning Committee also approved a planning application for Queen’s University Belfast’s new iREACH Health innovation centre on the Lisburn Road.
Full planning permission was granted for the erection of four and five storey clinical research buildings on either side of the Lisburn Road replacing the existing Russell Court buildings currently at the site.
iREACH Health is funded through the Belfast Region City Deal programme of investment and will provide an NHS, industry and research facility beside Belfast City Hospital, facilitating world-class clinical research to deliver better treatments to improve people’s health. iREACH Health will develop and test medicines, technologies and therapies to deliver better health and wellbeing outcomes to people in Northern Ireland and beyond.
Approval was further given at the Planning Committee for the change of use of the former Belfast Telegraph building – Print Hall on the ground floor in Royal Avenue in the city centre, for a conference centre and events space facility.
While a planning application for a single storey extension to Gael-Ionad Mhic Goill building at Glor Na Mona centre in west Belfast was approved. The extension will provide additional common room space and classroom facilities, reception area, a multi-purpose room and heritage cafe space as well as an outdoor performance area and landscaped areas.
Chair of the council's Planning Committee, Councillor Matt Garrett, said: “Once again, our Planning Committee decisions are helping to build Belfast to benefit our residents, student population and visitors to the city.”
For more information on the Planning Committee, visit www.belfastcity.gov.uk/Planning and for details on the Belfast Region City Deal, go to www.belfastregioncitydeal.co.uk.