A NEW £100 million 'health hub' at the site of the King's Hall in Belfast is set for council approval next week.
The first phase of the health and well-being park, which could create more than 500 jobs, is recommended for approval at Tuesday's planning committee meeting.
The proposed south Belfast development, being brought forward by Benmore Octopus, includes a next generation GP care facility combining on-site diagnostics including X-ray, ultrasound and near patient care for more than 25,000 patients.
As part of the planning application before council next week, the listed King's Hall building will be restored and refurbished, with a two storey side extension added for the site's primary health centre. The non-listed 29 Balmoral Avenue and all other non-listed buildings, including the showgrounds and stables are due to be demolished.
The 16-acre site is also set to deliver much needed options for elderly living, with plans announced last year including a nursing home to be run by Abbeyfield, more than 30 independent living one and two bedroom apartments, bespoke homes for the over-55s as well as retail space, a hotel and a gym facility accessible to residents.
A multi-storey car park to cope with large volumes of traffic is also set to be built close to one of the former show-rings associated with the Balmoral Agricultural show.
Speaking previously, David Burrows of Benmore Octopus said the proposed £100m project will be the "most innovative healthcare and wellbeing hub in the UK".
“It will create next generation GP care services for the growing population of south Belfast as well as delivering a range of on-site diagnostic facilities alongside housing options for the over 55-plus.
“We believe the King’s Hall Health and Wellbeing Park will be a beacon of excellence and a standard bearer for integrated healthcare provision in the city and Northern Ireland going forward."
Meanwhile the three historical shipping buoys located at Belfast's Cathedral Gardens are set to be moved to the Titanic Quarter.
A proposal to move the buoys is recommended for approval at Tuesday evening's Belfast City Council planning committee meeting.
The buoys have been on display as public works of art beside St Anne's Cathedral and the Ulster University campus since the 1980s, but now the council is set to relocate them to Titanic Quarter to form part of the envisaged 'Maritime Mile'.
