Agenda and minutes

            No apologies for inability to attend were reported.

            The minutes of the meeting of 12th August were taken as read and signed as correct.  It was reported that those minutes had been adopted by the Council at its meeting on 1st September, 2025, subject to the omission of those matters in respect of which the Council had delegated its powers to the Committee.

            No declarations of interest were reported.

The Committee noted the site visits.

·             Pre-emptive Committee Site Visit: LA04/2024/1576/F - Demolition of existing buildings at no. 733 and no. 735 Antrim Road to facilitate proposed residential (social housing) development comprising of 2no. buildings containing 34no. units (4no. 2p/1b wheelchair apartments and 30no. 3p/2b 'CAT 1'/ Active Elderly apartments) with associated in-curtilage parking and landscaping - 733-735 Antrim Road;

·             Pre-emptive Committee Site Visit: LA04/2024/2145/F - Creation of a new Adventure Park comprising a community / visitor hub building including café, creche, flexible exhibition / community space, ancillary office space and maintenance yard. Development includes community gardens, bmx track, crazy golf, dog park, walking/running/cycle paths, outdoor amphitheatre, bio diversity zones, and recreational facilities. Associated landscaping and infrastructure (drainage, lighting, car / coach parking, WC block etc). - Lands at North Foreshore / Giant's Park Dargan Road; and

·             Pre-emptive Committee Site Visit: LA04/2024/0015/F - Erection of 53 residential units (including 43 dwellings and 10 apartments) including creation of access, internal roads, landscaping and associated works (amended description and plans). - Lands at Cabin Hill, Upper Newtownards Road.

            The Committee noted the Notice of Provision of Parking Bay in relation to:

·        33 Lower Windsor Avenue;

·        13 Sydenham Drive;

·        35 Nevis Avenue;

·        49 Ponsonby Avenue;

·        217 Cliftonville Road:

·        33 Mount Prospect Park;

·        246 Cliftonville Road;

·        27 Ballysillan Drive; and

·        150 Mount Merrion Avenue.

            The Committee noted the Notice of Proposed Traffic Control Measures at Belfast Transport Hub.

The Committee agreed to write to the Department of Infrastructure to request information on how the pedestrianisation of Hill Street would be managed, what signage would be in place and why the proposed pedestrianisation was not running from Talbot Street.

The Committee noted the appeals decisions.

The Committee noted the planning decisions issued in August, 2025.

The Committee noted the list of live applications for major development.

The Committee noted the list of Committee decisions which had not yet been issued.

The Committee agreed to delegate to the Director of Planning and Building Control those Local planning applications to which NI Water had objected.

The Committee noted the updates to all Notices of Motion and Issues Raised in Advance that Planning Committee was responsible for; and agreed to the closure of Notices of Motion and Issues Raised in Advance, numbers 236 and 374.

            The Planning Manager outlined the application to the Committee and highlighted the following key issues for consideration:

·             Principle of housing in the location;

·             Housing density;

·             Affordable housing;

·             Housing mix;

·             Adaptable and accessible accommodation;

·             Design and placemaking;

·             Impact on heritage assets;

·             Climate change;

·             Residential quality and impact on amenity;

·             Open space;

·             Access and transport;

·             Environmental protection;

·             Flood risk and drainage;

·             Waste-water infrastructure;

·             Waste management;

·             Natural heritage; and

·             Section 76 planning agreement

He explained that the application provided for 100% social housing comprised of two and three bedroom units and was supported by the Northern Ireland Housing Executive.

He stated that DfC Historical Environment Division had offered no objection to the renovation of the critical risk Listed Building.

            He stated further that, having regard to the Development Plan and other material considerations, it was recommended that planning permission be granted, subject to conditions and a Section 76 planning agreement.

            The Chairperson welcomed Ms. J. Mawhinney (MBA Planning) to the meeting.

            Ms. Mawhinney explained that the applicant had designed a previous scheme at the application site which had been approved by the Committee in 2021, and that he had again developed a proposal that was respectful of the sensitivities of the site in terms of heritage interests and preservation of the amenity of neighbouring residents.

            She stated that the design encompassed the needs of the area in terms of housing tenure and type which had been developed alongside Choice Housing and was supported by the Northern Ireland Housing Executive.

            She concluded by stating that the proposal would bring employment of around 80 professional and construction work jobs during the development period, with a total investment of £6.5m and was a long-term solution for an otherwise vacant piece of land that would enhance the character and amenity of the area.

            The Committee granted planning permission, subject to conditions and a Section 76 planning agreement, and delegated authority to the Director of Planning and Building Control to resolve final consultation responses, finalise the wording of the conditions and Section 76 planning agreement and to deal with any other matters that might arise, provided they were not substantive. 

The Planning Manager provided the Committee with an overview of the application Full and Listed Building Consent for alterations to the shopfront at 35-39 Royal Avenue.

            He referred the Committee to the following key issues for consideration:

·             The principle of the development at the location;

·             Impact on the listed building; and

·             Impact on the Belfast City Centre Conservation Area.

He reported that DfC Historic Environment Division (HED) and the Council’s Conservation Area Officer had been consulted and offered no objections to the proposal, subject to conditions.

He stated that, having regard to the development plan, relevant planning policies and consultation responses, the application was considered acceptable.

The Committee approved full and listed building consent and delegated authority to the Director of Planning and Building Control to finalise the wording of the conditions and to deal with any other matters that might arise, provided they were not substantive.

The Planning Manager outlined the application for the Committee and explained that the application sought full planning permission for amendments to a previously approved application.

            He stated that, having regard to the policy context, the proposal was considered to be acceptable, and it was recommended that planning permission be granted.

The Committee granted planning permission, subject to conditions, and delegated authority to the Director of Planning and Building Control to resolve final consultation responses, finalise the wording of the conditions and deal with any other matters that might arise, provided that they were not substantive.

The information contained in the reports associated with the following item

is restricted in accordance with Part 1 of Schedule 6 of the

Local Government Act (Northern Ireland) 2014.

The Committee noted the report and the associated financial reporting pack.

The Committee noted the report and the associated financial reporting pack.

The Committee agreed to the publication for public consultation of draft Development Opportunity Areas (DOAs) Supplementary Planning Guidance (SPG) which relate specifically to DOA_01 Sailortown, Greater Clarendon and City Quays and DOA_07 Cathedral and NE Quarter.