PLANS to develop a new £9 million virtual facility at Loop Studios in east Belfast have been approved by the city council’s planning committee.
The LCC Group, which owns the building, said the new bespoke virtual studio “will be first of its kind on the island of Ireland”.
Loop Studios opened on the Castlereagh Road in 2013, and has already been used for a number of high profile productions including Netflix’s ‘School for Good and Evil’ and Universal Studios’ production of ‘Dracula Untold’.
In the report considered by the council’s planning committee on Tuesday, the Co Tyrone fuel giant said: “Once operational, the site will have capacity for 150 production roles on site.”
The overall plans backed by councillors is set to increase the size of Loop Studios from 81,407 sq ft to around 125,000 sq ft.
Meanwhile, Belfast City Council’s planning committee has also approved plans for new apartments to be built on the site of the former Delaney’s restaurant in the city centre.
The project will see the 1910 era building on Lombard Street demolished to make way for a new five storey development.
Associated for many years with Delaney’s, the site has been occupied by Caffe Nero for the past decade.
Marmont Properties’ bid will see it clear the site to develop 12 apartments above a new café/restaurant unit at street level.
In the report considered by the committee, the council’s conservation officer expressed some reservations over the loss of the building.
However, the ultimate conclusion of officials was the new development represents “an enhancement” for the area.
That recommendation was ultimately backed by councillors.
