Planning officials in Belfast have recommended approval for 700 new residential units in four schemes between the city centre and docks area, including one of the tallest ever apartment towers built on the island of Ireland.
Belfast City Council’s planning committee will meet on Tuesday to consider four separate proposals from Belfast Harbour, McAleer & Rushe, Vinder Capital and Endeavour Investments.
Two of the schemes involve build-to-rent apartments, accounting for 495 of the units.
All four major residential schemes have been recommended for approval, subject to conditions.
But issues around the absence of affordable housing in two of the schemes is expected to spark debate at Tuesday evening’s planning committee.
One of the most significant projects to be considered is Belfast Harbour’s City Quays 4 apartment proposal, which proposes 256 build-to-rent units on a car park located between the M3 Lagan Bridge and AC Marriott Hotel.
The project features a 23 storey tower, reaching 76.4 metres, and a 12 storey element.
In terms of apartment schemes on the island of Ireland, only the nearby Obel Tower (85 metres) and Capital Dock in Dublin (79 metres) are currently taller.
In order to address the requirement for large residential schemes to allocate 20% of units for social or affordable housing, Belfast Harbour launched a separate bid for 69 apartments and townhouses in Sailortown.
The new homes would be split on two sites either side of Pilot Street, next to the American Bar and the Docker’s Club.
Planning officials have recommend both schemes should be approved, subject to conditions.
In respect of the other two major schemes, the council’s HOU5 policy is expected to feature prominently in discussions.
The policy requires that residential development on sites greater than 0.1 hectares and/or containing five or more dwelling units, provide a minimum of 20% of units for affordable housing.
Neither the McAleer & Rushe proposal for 298 build-to-rent apartments, or the Vinder Capital/ Endeavour Investments proposal for 77 apartments on May Street, close to the Royal Courts of Justice, include affordable units.
In both cases, the developers have argued it would make their schemes economically unviable, with McAleer & Rushe also claiming limited interest among social housing providers for mixed high rise schemes.
Councillors on Belfast’s planning committee voted by a majority to reject the £60 million 19 storey scheme in January 2023, over the recommendation of officials.
The site in question is currently used as a multi-storey car park fronting onto Tomb Street, opposite Royal Mail’s Belfast headquarters.
Planning officials appear to have opted for an affordable housing review clause for both the Tomb Street and May Street developments.
That would require the delivery of affordable housing were economic conditions to change favourably.
In McAleer & Rushe’s case, the Co Tyrone developer has also been asked to contribute £400,000 for public realm in the area.
Belfast City Council’s planning committee will consider all four proposals on Tuesday evening.
