Agenda item

            The Planning Manager provided the Committee with an overview of the application and highlighted the following key issues for consideration:

·        Principle of the proposed uses;

·        Design and placemaking;

·        Impact on heritage assets;

·        Impact on amenity;

·        Climate change;

·        Open space;

·        Access and transport;

·        Health impacts;

·        Environmental protection;

·        Flood risk and drainage;

·        Waste-water infrastructure;

·        Natural heritage;

·        Waste management;

·        Employability and skills;

·        Section 76 planning agreement; and

·        Pre-Application community consultation.

            He explained that the site was within the city centre and was a highly sustainable location for new office development and would provide office accommodation for 500 staff that would positively impact economic activity.

            He stated that the proposal was considered to be of a high quality design which was appropriate to its location, which had been cleared and occupied by meanwhile uses.

            He informed the Committee that no objections had been received from statutory consultees, except from NI Water regarding the wastewater capacity, however, it was considered unreasonable to withhold planning permission on those grounds.  He added that the Council’s Environmental Health Service and Urban Design Officer had offered no objections and pointed out that there was an outstanding response from Waste Management and Shared Environmental Services, but that it was expected to offer no objection, subject to conditions to mitigate potential impacts on Belfast Lough.

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

            The Chairperson welcomed Mr. T. Stokes, TSA Planning, and Ms. L. McCarthy, Kainos, to the meeting.

            Mr. Stokes explained that Kainos, a company established in Belfast, was a global force behind some of the most cutting-edge software used around the globe and employed over 3,100 people in 23 countries.  He added that the company felt that its decision to locate its headquarters in Belfast was an ode to its dedication to the city and its young people. 

            He stated that Kainos had a longstanding relationship with Queen’s University, Belfast and had partnered with the University on many occasions over the years to deliver initiatives to improve digital skills and foster innovations.

            He explained that the Kainos Headquarters Scheme represented a total investment of £35 million to Belfast, with the potential for significant job creation that would include construction jobs and apprenticeships for the duration of the build, with the economic impact set to positively benefit suppliers and subcontractors from the local area.

            Councillor T. Brooks returned to the meeting to make a comment in relation to Bankmore Square, a site adjacent to the application site, whereby she stated that she would urge the Department for Infrastructure to consider enhancements to Bankmore Square rather than bulldozing a park to accommodate a road for the proposed Glider route.

(Councillor T. Brooks left the meeting whilst the Committee made its decision

and for the following two applications, as she had declared an interest.)

            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 finalise the wording of the conditions and Section 76 planning agreement and to deal with any other issues that might arise, to include those raised in the further consultation responses from Shared Environmental Services and Waste Management, provided that the issues were not substantive.