PLANNERS are expected to give the green light for a 430 bed student housing development close to the new Ulster University campus in Belfast.
Belfast City Council planners have recommended that approval be given to proposals to develop the site at Little Patrick Site, with the decision expected to be ratified at the committee meeting next week.
The £18 million project is a joint venture between Lacuna Developments and Watkin Jones, who purchased the site last year from UniCiti.
In providing their recommendation for approval planners noted that the 12-storey development is "not located in or adjacent to a primarily residential area" and that purpose built student accommodation is "considered acceptable at this location".
The scheme initially had approval for an 11-storey building comprising 354 beds. but the new larger development plan is "considered appropriate" by planners.
The expected approval for the student accommodation comes just two months a 620-bed development at Donegall Street was given the green light on appeal.
The land, which is currently a HandyPark car park, is set to to be transformed into a ten-storey student building, as well as associated amenity and ancillary support accommodation and 54 lower ground floor parking spaces and is due for completion in 2020.
A 14-storey apartment block at York Street, a 13-storey development at Queen Street and an 11-storey student building at Great Patrick Street are among those already approved, while the £16 million John Bell House on College Square East and the 45 room Mark Royal House, just yards from Ulster Univerisity's front door - have already opened.
