Agenda and minutes

Venue: Banqueting Hall

Contact: Miss Eilish McGoldrick, Democratic Services  028 9027 0450

Items
No. Item

1.

Apologies

Minutes:

            Apologies were reported on behalf of Councillors Hutchinson and McDonough-Brown.

 

2.

Declarations of Interest

Minutes:

            No declarations were reported.

 

 

3.

Planning Applications

3a

Reconsidered Item - LA04/2017/2126/F - Redevelopment including the construction of a new six storey building on the existing surface level car park and part change of use to create a mixed use development comprising retail units, restaurants and cafes, residential units, offices, church and related community floor space, new streets and public realm works. Demolition of 53 Royal Avenue and 27-31 Rosemary Street and restoration of Central Halls (37-39 Rosemary Street), Masonic Hall (15 Rosemary Street), 43/43a Rosemary Street and retention of 30-34 North Street. Lands bound by North Street Royal Avenue Rosemary Street and building south of Lower Garfield Street located approximately 400m west of Laganside bus station 300m northeast of City Hall and 1km northwest of Central Train Station pdf icon PDF 11 MB

4.

Associated application- LA04/2017/2081/LBC - Partial demolition of boundary wall and associated works including repair and redecoration of railings and resurfacing around the church, First Presbyterian Church at 41 Rosemary Street pdf icon PDF 2 MB

5.

Associated application - LA04/2017/2082/LBC - Partial demolition of side and rear extension and internal alteration including amended floor levels, removal of internal partitions. New elevations to create an entrance to retail accommodation and restaurant uses. 3 storey (staircase) side extension. Lower ground, first and second floor side extension Masonic Hall at 15 Rosemary Street pdf icon PDF 736 KB

6.

Associated application - LA04/2017/2120/LBC - Demolition of rear return and construction of 5 storey rear extension consisting ground floor retail unit and 6 apartments above, reconfiguration of ground floor retail units and 1st floor double height assembly hall, elevation changes at Central Hall 37 - 39 Rosemary Street pdf icon PDF 841 KB

7.

Associated application - LA04/2017/2138/DCA - Demolition of buildings at 27-31 Rosemary Street pdf icon PDF 535 KB

8.

Associated application - LA04/2017/2139/DCA - Demolition of building at 53 Royal Avenue pdf icon PDF 439 KB

9.

Associated application - LA04/2017/2196/DCA - Demolition of rear extension and partial demolition of eastern and southern elevations at 43 Rosemary Street pdf icon PDF 531 KB

10.

Associated application - LA04/2017/2213/F - Partial demolition, 5 storey rear extension and refurbishment to provide retail uses at ground floor level and office accommodation to the upper floors 41-51 Royal Avenue pdf icon PDF 2 MB

11.

Associated application - LA04/2017/2207/LBC - Partial demolition, extension and refurbishment to provide retail uses at ground floor level and office accommodation to the upper floors 41-51 Royal Avenue pdf icon PDF 2 MB

12.

Associated application - LA04/2017/2575/DCA - Demolition of building at 30-34 North Street pdf icon PDF 530 KB

13.

Associated application - LA04/2017/2597/F - Demolition of building and development of temporary hard landscaping at 30-34 North Street pdf icon PDF 622 KB

14.

Associated application - LA04/2018/0007/F - Demolition of building and development of flexible retail, restaurant and café uses for a period of up to 5 years within repurposed shipping containers up to 2 storeys in height together with ancillary access and circulation. pdf icon PDF 1 MB

Minutes:

            The Committee was reminded that, at the Pre Determination Hearing on 13th February, given the issues which had been raised regarding the scale of the development and impact on the surrounding area, it had agreed to defer consideration of the application to enable a site visit to be undertaken and for a briefing to be provided on the wider implications of the phased development could take place. 

 

            The Development Planning and Policy Manager informed the Committee that, after the agenda had been published, the following points of objection had been received from the First Presbyterian Church, in relation to Planning applications LA04/2017/2126/F, LA04/2017/2081/LBC and LA04/2017/2120/LBC:

 

·        Notification of applications – notice had been served on 7 individuals identified by the applicant as owners of the church. The objection stated that these persons were unknown to the church and were not trustees;

·        Loss of Church car parking - 14 car parking spaces that currently existed to the rear of the First Presbyterian Church. Raised concern with the loss of the spaces and sought alternative arrangements to facilitate Sunday Services/evening events;

·        Replacement parking - Informal parking around the church for Church activities only;

·        Concerns regarding the stained glass windows and vulnerability of the organ room (to rear of the church);

·        Restrictions on activities within the proposed ‘Church Place’ and around the Church during Sunday Service to reduce noise/nuisance; and

·        No agreement had been reached on the demolition of the wall around the First Presbyterian Church and the Church reserved its position in relation to this proposal.

 

            He also advised that the Ulster Architectural Heritage Society (UAHS) had submitted a query which was raised in the pre-determination hearing, and a subsequent objection, in that the UAHS considered that a listed building consent application was required in relation to planning application LA04/2017/2126/F to consider the impact of the new 6 storey block on the setting of the adjacent listed First Presbyterian Church. He advised that, prior to the commencement of the meeting, a further two representations had been received from UAHS which raised process and engagement issues in relation to the consideration of the applications. He stated that the UAHS had also informed the Council of their request to the Department for Infrastructure in relation to planning application LA04/2017/2126F, and associated applications so that Department for Infrastructure could determine the application.

 

            The Development Planning and Policy Manager outlined the response of the Planning Department to the aforementioned issues raised, as set out in the Late Items Report Pack. 

 

            The case officer provided an overview of all the aforementioned planning applications including the listed building consents and those required for demolition within conservation areas. He advised that the site was located within Belfast City Centre Conservation Area. He advised that 217 representations had been received (2 letters of support and 215 objections). 

 

            During the presentation, the case officer explained the proposed elevations and heights of the proposed buildings, separation distances between the buildings outlined in the applications, demolitions, listed  ...  view the full minutes text for item 14.