Minutes:
The Director of City Regeneration and Development submitted for the Committee’s consideration a report which provided an update on various matters associated with the Assembly Rooms Cluster which included the Assembly Rooms, part of Donegall Street carpark site, 5-9 North Street and Braddell’s Building.
The Director highlighted that the Assembly Rooms had been selected for inclusion in the World Monument Fund’s (WMF) ‘2025 World Monuments Watch’ programme. It was reported that the WMF’s biennial programme selected twenty-five treasured heritage sites of significance across the world which faced urgent challenges with the aim to raise awareness, mobilise resources, and implement conservation initiatives. She informed the Committee that, following discussions between the Council and the WMF, the WMF had offered to work in partnership with the Council to procure and fund a Conservation Management Plan (CMP) to guide the repair and conservation of the Assembly Rooms as a keystone for heritage-led regeneration in the area and ensure the preservation and adaptation for public benefit. The Committee was advised that the Council and the WMF had proposed to enter into a Memorandum of Understanding which would formally agree the intention to work together towards a common goal.
The Director also provided an update on the Visioning and Future Use Strategy for the Assembly Rooms and adjacent sites. She reminded the Committee that, following agreement by the Strategic Policy and Resources Committee at its meeting in October, 2025, a workshop would be held in January, 2026, for Members to commence the process for the consideration of the future uses of the Assembly Rooms Cluster.
In respect of planning for the wider site, the Committee was also reminded that the draft Supplementary Planning Guidance for Development Opportunity Area Cathedral and North-East Quarter had been approved by the Council on 1st October, 2025, and had opened for consultation in November, 2025, for a twelve-week period.
During discussion, the Director of City Regeneration and Development answered a range of questions from the Members in relation to the condition of the Assembly Rooms Cluster and future redevelopment.
In response to a Member’s question on the prioritisation of proposals, the Director advised that, as previously agreed by the Strategic Policy and Resources Committee, the Regeneration Framework would be used as a tool to support and assist in the prioritisation of catalytic regeneration projects, subject to final approval by Members.
In relation to the potential partnership between the Council and the WMF, a Member requested that Party Group Leaders be provided with a copy of the Memorandum of Understanding.
After discussion, the Committee:
i. noted the update on the completion of the acquisition of the Assembly Rooms and adjacent properties (Assembly Rooms Cluster) in the context of the regeneration and development of the city;
ii. noted the ongoing liaison with the WMF; the pending offer of funding for certain essential works and a Conservation Management Plan; the intention to enter into a Memorandum of Understanding to underpin the intentions of working together for a common goal;
iii. agreed that Party Group Leaders be provided with a copy of the Memorandum of Understanding;
iv. noted the update on the Visioning and Future Use Strategy and the pending workshop for Members in January 2026 to commence the process for the consideration of the future uses of the Assembly Rooms; and
v. noted the update on planning in respect of the wider site and the live consultation on the draft Supplementary Planning Guidance for the Development Opportunity Area for North-East and Cathedral Quarter.