A NUMBER of major multi-pound Belfast developments are set to be rubber stamped for a second time by council planners this evening.
The £65 million office development at the site of the Dublin Road cinema, a proposed 250-bedroom hotel on Corporation Street and residential developments at Little Patrick Street and Stockmans Way were all previously granted planning permission by Belfast City Council, but have since been subject to reconsideration following the High Court's decision to rule against a £55m Belfast office scheme beside Lanyon Place train station.
Residents had challenged the council's decision to grant permission for the 14-storey high development in the Market Quarter and in May a ruling was made that planners had acted unlawfully in giving the green light for development.
"In view of the High Court’s decision, the planning service has reviewed older applications which have previously been considered by the planning committee but where the decision has yet to be issued," Belfast City Council said.
The combined developments have a combined value of around £100m and all four are again recommended for approval at this evening's meeting.
The 250,000 sq ft Dublin Road development was granted planning permission in May 2017 and the 12-storey office scheme, known as One Bankmore Square, also includes ground floor retail units as well as a redeveloped public space at Bankmore Square. Being brought forward by the Richland Group, the project is estimated to be worth £65m.
Also subject to reconsideration is McAleer and Rushe's plans for a 250-bedroom hotel on Corporation Street part of a mixed used scheme and approved back in June 2016.
An application from Dominic And Fred Keating for a £4m mixed-used scheme at Little Patrick Street was given the green light in May 2016. The 11-storey development comprises 50 residential apartments alongside retail units on the ground and first floors.
Kilmona Holdings received planning approval in September 2016 for a residential development comprising 96 apartments on land at Stockmans Way in south west Belfast. The application is also due to receive planning approval for a second time at this evening's meeting.
