PLANNING permission has been granted for a new 430-bed student housing development close to the new Ulster University campus in Belfast.
Belfast City Council's planning committee formally ratified the application for the site at Little Patrick Street last night, with completion on the major project expected by August next year.
The £20 million development is a joint venture between Lacuna Developments and Watkin Jones, who purchased the site last year from UniCiti. In a statement the developers expressed delight the proposals have now been approved.
"This scheme will help meet ongoing demand for well-located high quality managed student accommodation. The proposals are part of more than £100 million of investment that the partnership of Lacuna Watkin Jones has invested in Belfast. We look forward to delivering a high quality, and well managed scheme in this part of Belfast city centre. The area surrounding our development will continue to transform as Ulster University’s regeneration is completed. We look forward to continuing our positive working relationship with Belfast City Council and bring forward further investment and development in the city, contributing towards the city’s growth ambitions."
The planning approval for Little Patrick Street comes just two months after a 620-bed development at Donegall Street was given the green light on appeal.
The land, which is currently a HandyPark car park, is set to be transformed into a 10-storey student building and is due for completion in 2020.
A 14-storey apartment block at York Street, a 13-storey development at Queen Street and an 11-storey student building at Great Patrick Street are among those already approved, while the £16 million John Bell House on College Square East and the 45 room Mark Royal House, just yards from Ulster University’s front door – have already opened.
The new Ulster University campus will not be ready until at least 2020 following a number of delays.
