Agenda item

The Principal Planning Officer provided the Committee with an overview of the application and pointed out that the proposal was for 1007 unites with a mix of cluster rooms and studios across four blocks of accommodation with an extensive central courtyard, entrance plaza, public realm and landscaped boundaries.

            She highlighted the following key issues for consideration:

·        Principle of PBMSA in this location

·        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;

·        Section 76 planning agreement; and

·        Pre-Application Community Consultation.

She stated that the proposed building was considered to be of a high-quality design, appropriate to its location that would regenerate the land and be delivered as part of Phase 3 of the Titanic Quarter Development Framework (TQDF).

She reported that no objections had been received from statutory or non-statutory consultees, one letter of support had been received and that it was recommended that the application be approved, subject to conditions.

            The Chairperson welcomed Ms. S. Murphy, Lacuna Developments, Mr. C. O’Hara, RPS, and Mr. S. McKee, Turley, to the meeting in support of the application.

            Ms. Murphy explained that, with the support of Titanic Quarter and Belfast Harbour, Lacuna/Watkin Jones were very much focused on delivering quality schemes that would provide safe, modern and sustainable places to live and study. 

She stated that the rationale for bringing another scheme to Belfast was predicated on need which had been clearly demonstrated, supported by the fact that recent schemes, that included Nelson Place were currently full, with waiting lists in place.

            She informed the Committee that the location was ideal and would bring an additional 2000 residents and students to the area that would contribute to the long-term regeneration of Titanic Quarter.

            Mr. McKee explained that the application was preceded by a robust PAD process and was a development with community, wellbeing and sustainability at its core.

            He outlined the proposal design and stated that a range of sustainable transport options made it a highly accessible location and stated that the proposal aligned with Belfast’s Resilience Strategy, the Belfast Agenda and the emerging Queens Island Decarbonisation Plan, reduced car parking was proposed alongside a suite of green travel measures to support the promotion of active and sustainable travel.

            He stated that a sustainable transport fund would contribute towards a further enhancement of public transport services and a green travel measures fund would support the provision of Belfast Bikes memberships, 310 student bike spaces and 20 public visitor cycle spaces would be provided as part of the scheme.

            He explained that the scheme would create approximately 140 full time jobs during the construction phase with a multitude of in-kind interventions, similar to those which were being delivered as part of the Loft Lines development.

            He concluded by stating that a final management plan, to ensure appropriate management of the facility in perpetuity, would be secured via a Section 76 agreement.

In response to a question from a Member in relation to a future change in demand from students, Mr. O’Hara explained that the proposed structure would have internal flexibility and, in theory, the usage could be changed from student accommodation to residential use.

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