PLANS to build office space and apartments on the site of the former St Malachy’s School and an adjacent warehouse in the Market area of central Belfast will see long-term residents “squeezed out”, a campaign group has said.
An application to convert the former school on Sussex Place and a warehouse on Rathbone Street was lodged on behalf of Xafinity Pension Trustees Ltd in May 2020.
The proposal suggests converting the historic former schoolhouse to a cafe and office space and converting the warehouse into apartments, according to documents listed on the planning public access website.
The applicant said the proposal will help to save the school, which is a grade B1 listed building.
However, residents have lodged hundreds of objections, saying that the plans will have a negative impact on the community.
The former St Malachy’s School ran until 1988. The building was later used as a nursery, youth club and boxing club until 2014.
Among those objecting to the plans is former snooker World Championship semi-finalist Joe Swail, who lives in the area. He said “things are being taken out of our hands and we’re being squeezed out of the Market”.
Christine Farmer, who lives on Joy Street, said the area has a long history. She said: “Our community is being squeezed slowly but surely and we are losing our heritage.”
Belfast City Council’s planning committee was due to discuss the plans last night.
John Jo McGrady from the Save the Market campaign said most residents want the former school to be used as a community hub.
“We are looking at different uses for the site, one being a heritage hub about the history of the area,” he said.
He said residents are concerned the proposed apartments could be used as short-term or Airbnb-style lets.
“When you’re adding on more apartments there is quite a concern,” he said.
A spokesman for the applicant said it will not allow short-term letting.
He said agents for the applicant had met development association for the Market area “on at least nine occasions since September 2020 in an effort to provide assurances about our proposals and explore their potential acquisition of the building”.
“It is our intention to sell the apartments on completion and not permit short-term letting and we are more than happy that our scheme is conditioned on this basis,” he said.
“We believe securing planning approval is in the best interest of all parties to secure the future of this heritage building, and enable continued opportunity to explore with the Market Development Association their own plans for the building, and we stand by our commitment made to them to support their business plan for a community and cultural centre.”
