Permission has been granted for an £80 million student accommodation scheme in Belfast city centre.
The development of the 895 units will see the demolition of a considerable block of buildings between Castle Street, Queen Street and Fountain Street, including the eight-storey Norwich Union House.
A 200-space multi-storey car park and Westgate House, on the corner of Castle Street and Queen Street, would also be razed under the plans.
New communal facilities will include a gym, a cinema, meeting/study rooms and laundry rooms.
At the December monthly meeting of the Belfast City Council Planning Committee on Tuesday, elected members unanimously approved the construction.
The applicant, MRP NUH Ltd, states the building will be up and running for the 2027/28 academic year.
None of the statutory bodies objected to the plan except NI Water. The council received three letters of support from third parties, and no letters of objection before the planning committee hearing.
On the day of the committee meeting, the owner of the Fountain Street bar and venue Voodoo lodged an objection to the council regarding the application. A council office told members of the Planning Committee: “They are concerned about the impact of Voodoo on the amenity of prospective residents.”
Council planning officers recommended the plan for approval. The council report on the application states: “The site is a highly sustainable location within the city centre and close to transport links such as Grand Central Station and other public transport services.
“The application is supported by satisfactory evidence of need for the proposal. Following negotiations and amendments to the scheme, the proposed building is considered to be of a very good quality design appropriate to its context within the city centre conservation area and setting of listed buildings.
“The proposal will develop an existing vacant building and large gap site within Queen Street, introducing active frontages and supporting the regeneration of the surrounding area.”
Last month, a plan for four new student accommodation blocks of up to 18 stories at Great Victoria Street was approved.
The site location is at lands comprising the existing Fanum House, Norwood House and adjacent lands, 96-110 Great Victoria Street, Belfast, BT2. The £42 million plan is by development company South Bank Square.
In September, Belfast’s largest ever purpose-built student accommodation scheme was approved, comprising over 1,000 bedrooms in a four block building in the Titanic area of Belfast.