Queen’s University Belfast and software group Kainos have submitted planning applications for student accommodation and a new office block at the site of the former Movie House cinema in the city.
The first application made to Belfast City Council planning committee for the Dublin Road site is for a proposed 14-storey and basement purpose-built grade A office premises, with retail and restaurant units on the ground floor.
The plan includes external landscaped terrace areas, public realm works, and associated site works at 14 Dublin Road.
The application is by Kainos with the neighbourhood consultation set to end on April 7.
The Stormont Historic Environment Environment Division has already said it is content with the application.
The second application by Queen’s University Belfast is for the erection of a 17-storey purpose built managed student accommodation building comprising 459 units, with communal facilities, internal and external communal amenity space, at 14 Dublin Road.
The building would have additional use of accommodation outside term time.
The consultation period has now expired.
The Belfast Council environmental health response team stated in planning documents: “The robust management of student behaviour at large scale purpose-built student accommodation schemes is critical to the integration and success of these large schemes as well as essential to protect the residential amenity of existing residents of the area.
“The developer is recommended to employ the services of an operator with a proven track regard in successfully delivering other similar large scale student schemes in similar settings.”
The Stormont Historic Environment Environment Division has said it is content with this application also.
Both applications are expected to appear at the City Hall planning committee next month.
After the Movie House cinema came down fully, the space has been occupied since June 2022 by a pop-up shipping container outdoor food market called Trademarket Belfast.
Last December an application for a new student accommodation block in the nearby Sandy Row area of south Belfast was refused.
Belfast councillors unanimously refused a plan for the redevelopment of an existing surface car park for the erection of a new purpose built, managed student accommodation scheme comprising 354 units.
The plan, by Artemis Development Ltd, was for the site bounded by Glenalpin Street, Wellwood Street and Norwood Street, close to Sandy Row.
Some councillors have been arguing that a high concentration of student accommodation in the area will be detrimental to local communities.
As well as Botanic Studios apartments on 78- 86 Dublin Road, and the recently completed 253 bed student block Aster House at University Road, plans have been submitted for an 11-storey student block with 210 bedrooms at the site of Filthy McNastys on Dublin Road.
Further along Great Victoria Street, at Bruce Street, is another recently completed 15-storey student accommodation building, housing 271 self-contained studios.
Plans have also been reported involving demolition of the 11-storey Fanum House on Great Victoria Street, often called “the ugliest building in Belfast” to be replaced with a new student accommodation for 610 students.
