A 724-unit student accommodation block on Belfast’s Donegall Street can go ahead, officials at the city council’s planning division have said.
The £55 million project close to the new Ulster University campus is being taken forward by LDS Devco and Banbridge-based Lotus Property, which owns The Boulevard and The Junction shopping outlets.
LDS Devco is run by BA Components’ co-founder Brian McCracken and Scottish investor Gerald McGladery.
Planning permission for a 620-bed student development is already in place for the site, with Gilbert-Ash commencing site enabling works in 2020.
But LDS and Lotus launched their new incarnation of the managed student accommodation development in February 2021 after acquiring the site last year.
Their application has now been recommended for approval by Belfast City Council’s planning officials, subject to a section 76 agreement, which typically involves developers making a financial contribution or committing to landscaping or amenities.
Belfast City Council’s planning committee due to consider the recommendation on Thursday.
The development, which ranges from six to nine storeys, includes three courtyards and a gym.
A basement car park has been scrapped by the developers, with just 15 car parking spaces now proposed. Planners said that was acceptable due to the “highly accessible nature of the site”, adding that it was consistent with other previously approved city centre student housing schemes, which have little or no on-site parking.
The report states: “The design of the proposed building is considered to be an improvement over the previous permission.
“The design, detailing and materiality including tonal red bricked finish reflects the industrial character of this part of the city centre. Subtle detailing has helped break up what could be an imposing block and has added significantly to the previously approved design.
“DfC Historic Environment Division have welcomed the proposed design changes.”
The project, which was once tied into the wider £300m Belfast Northside regeneration scheme, remains controversial with residents of the nearby Carrick Hill community.
Under the proposal, students will enter the building on the Carrick Hill side.
Community concerns was considered a significant factor in the Department for Social Development’s 2016 decision to pull out of the Northside project, which involved a partnership with a consortium including Kevin McKay’s Benmore Group and construction firm Balfour Beatty.
The Benmore/Balfour Beatty proposal was initially rejected by Belfast City Council, but was later approved on appeal.
