Agenda and decisions

An apology for inability to attend was reported from Councillor Hanvey.

The minutes of the meeting of 11th February were taken as read and signed as correct. 

            Councillor Brooks and Pankhurst declared an interest in Item 8e, namely, LA04/2019/2850/F - Extensions to existing aerospace manufacturing facility and associated site works to include internal access road at the Bombardier Wing Manufacturing and assembly Facility, Airport Road West, in that they had relatives which worked in Bombardier.  They left the room for the duration of the discussion on the item and did not take part in the vote.

            The Chairperson, Councillor Carson, declared an interest in Item 8f, namely, LA04/2018/0022/F - Community, cultural and sporting hub for the Upper Andersonstown area incorporating; a community hub building accommodating a multi-functional hall, handball court, fitness suite, health and well-being suite and associated ancillary accommodation ; replacement of floodlit grass pitch with floodlit synthetic pitch, 2 floodlit multi-use games areas, pre-nursery building  landscaping and a new footpath link from the Shaw's Road, noise barriers and associated car parking at Rossa Park, Shaw's Road, in that he had liaised with the O’Donovan Rossa Gaelic Athletic Club and the Planning Department in relation to the application.  He left the room for the duration of the discussion on the item and did not take part in the vote.

            Councillor O’Hara advised the Committee that, from 1st April, he would be taking up a position on the Board of the Belfast Harbour Commissioners but, on taking advice from the Divisional Solicitor, it was confirmed that, as it was a Council appointment, that it did not constitute a conflict of interest and that he could fully participate in the discussion on the item.

It was noted that the Committee had undertaken site visits on 21st November in respect of the following four planning applications:

·         LA04/2019/2850/F - Extensions to existing aerospace manufacturing facility and associated site works to include internal access road , replacement car parking, drainage and existing access onto Heron Road at Bombardier Wing Manufacturing and assembly Facility Airport Road West, Belfast, BT3 9ED;

·         LA04/2019/2810/F - Titanic Quarter eastern access road including new signalised junction on Sydenham Road and associated works at lands to the south and east of Belfast Metropolitan College east of Public Records Office of NI north of Sydenham Road, west of Cuming Road and south of Hamilton Road, Titanic Quarter, Belfast;

·         LA04/2019/2387/F - Residential development comprising 151 apartments and ancillary uses including; management suite, communal space, reception area and servicing (refuse/recycling/bicycle storage) and plant equipment; and associated car parking and public realm improvements to Scrabo Street, Station Street and Middlepath Street at Land adjacent to Quay Gate House, 15 Scrabo Street, Belfast, BT5 4D: footpaths and public realm at Scrabo Street, Station Street and Middlepath Street; and

·         LA04/2019/2299/F - Demolition of existing property and re-development of the site including the provision of approximately 243,000sqft gross build floorspace comprising class B1 (a0 office on 6 levels over active ground floor uses including retail (A1), restaurants, cafes and bars (sui generis) with a hotel of 174 bedrooms over ground plus 7 levels and associated double deck carparking of 62 spaces and related access for the redevelopment at 1-7 Fountain Street, 24-40 Castle Street and 6-8 Queen Street, Belfast.

The Committee noted the Quarter 3 financial position for the Planning Committee, which was a net underspend of £551,000, with the forecast year end position being an underspend of £673,000. 

The Committee noted the receipt of correspondence from Arup, which proposed to abandon Seymour Lane, located to the rear of planning application LA04/2017/2268/F.

            The Committee noted the receipt of correspondence in respect of a number of planning appeals which had been submitted to the Planning Appeals Commission, together with the outcomes of a range of hearings which had been considered by the Commission.

            The Committee noted a list of decisions which had been taken under the delegated authority of the Director of Planning and Building Control, together with all other planning decisions which had been issued by the Planning Department between 3rd February and 2nd March.

            The Committee agreed to support the proposed listing of the Catholic Chaplaincy at Queen’s University, 28-38 Elmwood Avenue.

            The Committee considered the two linked applications together.

            The Committee granted approval to the applications, subject to the imposing of the conditions set out within the case officer’s report and delegated power to the Director of Planning and Building Control for the final wording of the conditions.

            The Committee granted approval to the application, subject to the imposing of the conditions set out within the case officer’s report and delegated power to the Director of Planning and Building Control for the final wording of the conditions.

            (Councillors Brooks and Pankhurst declared an interest in the item and left the meeting for the duration of the discussion.)

            The Committee granted approval to the application, subject to the imposing of the conditions set out within the case officer’s report and delegated power to the Director of Planning and Building Control for the final wording of the conditions.

                  The Committee agreed to defer consideration of the application until next month, given the issues with accessing documents on the Planning Portal, and to allow the consultation process to be completed.

            The Committee noted that, as the application had not been presented, all Members’ present at the next meeting would be able to take part in the discussion and vote on the item.

            The Committee granted approval to the application, subject to the imposing of the conditions set out within the case officer’s report and delegated power to the Director of Planning and Building Control for the final wording of the conditions and, if necessary, to enter into a new Section 76 Planning Agreement.

            (Councillor Carson declared an interest in the item and left the meeting for the duration of the discussion.)

(Councillor Brooks, Deputy Chairperson, in the Chair)

            The Committee granted approval to the application, subject to the imposing of the conditions as set out within the case officer’s report, and delegated power to the Director of Planning and Building Control to finalise the conditions and to resolve any outstanding issues regarding the timings of use of the Multi-Use Games Area.

(Councillor Carson returned to the meeting at this point)

(Councillor Garrett left the meeting at this point)

            The Committee approved the application, subject to the imposing of the conditions set out within the case officer’s report and to delegate power to the Director of Planning and Building Control for the final wording of the conditions, to agree the wording of a Section 76 Agreement and to resolve any outstanding issues to the Committee. 

(Councillor Garrett returned to the meeting at this point)

(Councillors, Hussey, Murphy and Maskey left the meeting at this point)

            The Committee agreed the application, subject to the imposing of the conditions set out within the case officer’s report and to delegate power to the Director of Planning and Building Control for the final wording of the conditions, to agree the wording of any potential Section 76 Agreement and to resolve any outstanding issues to the Committee. 

            The Committee granted approval to the application, subject to the imposing of the conditions set out within the case officer’s report and delegated power to the Director of Planning and Building Control for the final wording of the conditions.

(Councillor Collins left the meeting at this point)

            The Committee granted approval to the application subject to the imposing of the conditions set out within the case officer’s report.