Agenda and minutes

            No apologies were reported.

            The minutes of the meetings of 10th and 16th December were taken as read and signed as correct.  It was reported that those minutes had been adopted by the Council at its meeting on 6th January, subject to the omission of those matters in respect of which the Council had delegated its powers to the Committee.

            Councillor Nicholl advised that she had attended a briefing on the Royal Exchange application in 2017 but that she had not expressed an opinion.

            The Senior Planning officer provided the Committee with the key details of the outline application.

            She provided the Committee with a detailed presentation of the outline application for a mixed-use scheme comprising offices, 367 residential units, restaurants/cafes, a hotel, retail units on the ground floor and cultural and community space.  She explained that the proposal also sought to reconfigure Writer’s Square, to pedestrianise North Street, the creation of new public squares (“Central Square” and “Assembly Square” at the junction of North Street and Rosemary Street) and the creation of new pedestrian links between North Street and Donegall Street.

            The Members were advised that the applicant had significantly revised the scheme.  The Senior Planning officer outlined that the proposed 27 storey tower and the large anchor retail store which were in the original scheme were no longer proposed and that the revised scheme instead proposed the replacement of the North Street Arcade with a new arcade with retention and restoration of its external facades on both North Street and Donegall Street.  She added that the level of demolition in the revised proposals had also been reduced. 

            She explained that the basement and the multi-storey car parks were no longer proposed and that the only on-site parking which would be provided were 25 disabled spaces and 6 spaces for car club vehicles.  She advised that the reduction in parking would be mitigated through green transport measures including travel plans, the use of car club and the distribution of Travel cards to residents which would be secured through a Section 76 Agreement.  DfI Roads had indicated that they were content, subject to conditions.

            In relation to the residential units, it was proposed that 10% of the housing, approximately 37 units, would be affordable housing.  The Senior Planning officer explained that the applicant also proposed to relocate the exiting Choice Housing Facility (SHAC), which was within the site boundary, and to provide an additional 10% social housing within the same relocated facility in close proximity to the site.

            The Committee was advised that the currently approved scheme for the site, which had been granted permission in 2012, hereafter known as the extant scheme, was for a larger site than the current proposals.  She highlighted to the Committee that the extant scheme was an important material consideration in the determination of the current application and was given significant weight as it was capable of being implemented.

            The Committee was advised that 454 letters of objections had been received in respect of the revised scheme along with 5 letters of support.

            The Members’ attention was drawn to the Late Items Pack, whereby the Historical Environment Division (HED) had provided its latest response in relation to the alignment of the proposed arcade and the proposal for the Assembly Rooms at the corner of Waring Street and North Street.  The Senior Planning officer advised the Members that, contrary to HED, officers felt that the inclusion of a replacement arcade was a substantial improvement  ...  view the full minutes text for item 4a

            The Senior Planning officer explained that the Former Assembly Rooms was a Grade B1 listed building.  She explained that the original building was built in around 1769 and that a number of additions had been made in the 1800s and in the early to mid-1900s. The building was on Northern Ireland’s Heritage at Risk Register.

            The Members were advised that the extant scheme included partial demolition of the Former Assembly Rooms which was marginally different from the current proposals, in that it approved the demolition of internal walls within the original building which were not sought in the current proposals.

            The application proposed to use the retained historic building to house communal areas such as the hotel lobby, bar/restaurant and reception area.  As the proposal sought minimal interventions to the existing historic fabric, it was therefore considered that the essential character of the original Assembly Rooms would be retained. The Members were advised that HED had acknowledged that minimal interventions were proposed to the existing historic fabric and that all services, fire escapes etc. would be accommodated in the new extension. The Planning officer advised that HED was largely content with the proposal except for an issue with balustrading at first floor level.

            The Chairperson put the officer’s recommendation to approve the Listed Building Consent, subject to the imposing of the conditions, and to delegate power to the Director of Planning and Building Control for the final wording of the conditions, to the Committee. 

            On a vote by show of hands, nine Members voted for the proposal and two against and it was accordingly declared carried.

            The Senior Planning officer outlined the details of the proposal, which included the demolition of the former North Street Arcade, which had fallen into a state of chronic disrepair, but retention of its facades onto North Street and Donegall Street. The Members were advised that the restoration of the façades would significantly enhance the streetscapes.

            The Committee was advised that previous permissions, under the extant scheme, had approved demolition of the internal portion of the arcade with retention of its facades and end blocks on North Street and Donegall Street and development of an anchor store in its place. The Senior Planning officer advised the Committee that officers felt that the proposal to reinstate an arcade was welcomed and was a significant improvement over the extant scheme. 

            The Committee was advised that HED wished to see the reconstruction of the North Street Arcade rather than its replacement in a modified form.

            The Chairperson put the officer’s recommendation to approve the Listed Building Consent, subject to the imposing of the conditions, and to delegate power to the Director of Planning and Building Control for the final wording of the conditions, to the Committee. 

            On a vote by show of hands, seven Members voted for the proposal and four against and it was accordingly declared carried.

            The Senior Planning officer provided the Committee with the details of a Listed Building Consent application for works to Braddells.

            The Committee was advised that the proposal included including partial demolition of a small rear extension (part single storey and part two storey), internal alterations including the insertion of a lift to improve accessibility, removal of floor area to accommodate stairs to the third floor, removal of floor boards and joists to create a double height space, previously infilled openings to be reformed and a new attic window.

            The Members were advised that Listed Building Consent was previously granted for Braddells as part of “Royal Exchange” (extant) scheme. As the permission had commenced, the Members were reminded that the extant scheme could be implemented and was a material consideration of significant importance. 

            The Committee was advised that the Listed Building Consent application proposed less intervention than the extant scheme which was an important material consideration. The Committee was advised that HED considered that the proposal satisfied policy, subject to conditions.

            The Chairperson put the officer’s recommendation to approve the Listed Building Consent, subject to the imposing of the conditions, and to delegate power to the Director of Planning and Building Control for the final wording of the conditions, to the Committee. 

            On a vote by show of hands, twelve Members voted for the proposal and one against and it was accordingly declared carried.

            The Senior Planning officer provided the Committee with the details of the application for the full demolition of Nos. 32-40 Donegall Street, a non-listed building which was located within the Cathedral Conservation Area.

            The Committee was advised that planning permission had previously been granted for a wider redevelopment scheme (Z/2010/1532/F & LA04/2016/2327/F) which included demolition of the building.  Conservation Area Consent was also granted for the demolition of this building. 

            The Senior Planning officer explained that the previous permissions had established the principle of demolition of the building.

            She explained that no representations had been received regarding this application. However, objections had been received to the associated outline planning application LA04/2017/2341/O regarding the amount of demolition and loss of historic fabric across the scheme.  The Conservation Officer had no objections.

            The Chairperson put the officer’s recommendation to approve the application, subject to the imposing of the conditions, and to delegate power to the Director of Planning and Building Control for the final wording of the conditions, to the Committee. 

            On a vote by show of hands, ten Members voted for the proposal and two against and it was accordingly declared carried.

            The Senior Planning officer provided the Committee with the details of the application for the full demolition of the non-listed buildings which were located within the Cathedral Conservation Area.

            The Committee was advised that planning permission had previously been granted for a wider redevelopment scheme (Z/2010/1532/F & LA04/2016/2327/F) which included demolition of the building.  Conservation Area Consent was also granted for the demolition of this building. 

            The Senior Planning officer explained that the previous permissions had established the principle of demolition of the building.

            The Members were advised that one representation had been received regarding the application which raised concerns regarding notification of the proposed development and notification to vacate the property. The Senior Planning officer outlined that objections had been received to the associated outline planning application LA04/2017/2341/O regarding the amount of demolition and loss of historic fabric across the scheme. The Conservation Officer had no objections.

            The Chairperson put the officer’s recommendation to approve the application, subject to the imposing of the conditions, and to delegate power to the Director of Planning and Building Control for the final wording of the conditions, to the Committee. 

            On a vote by show of hands, ten Members voted for the proposal and two against and it was accordingly declared carried.

            The Senior Planning officer provided the Committee with the details of the application for the full demolition of Nos. 5-9 North Street, a non-listed building which was located within the Cathedral Conservation Area.

            The Committee was advised that planning permission had previously been granted for a wider redevelopment scheme (Z/2010/1532/F & LA04/2016/2327/F) which included demolition of the building.  Conservation Area Consent was also granted for the demolition of this building. 

            The Senior Planning officer explained that the previous permissions had established the principle of demolition of the building.

            She explained that no representations had been received regarding this application. However, objections had been received to the associated outline planning application LA04/2017/2341/O regarding the amount of demolition and loss of historic fabric across the scheme.  The Conservation Officer had no objections.

            The Chairperson put the officer’s recommendation to approve the application, subject to the imposing of the conditions, and to delegate power to the Director of Planning and Building Control for the final wording of the conditions, to the Committee. 

            On a vote by show of hands, ten Members voted for the proposal and two against and it was accordingly declared carried.

            The Senior Planning officer provided the Committee with the details of the application for the full demolition of the following non-listed buildings, which were located within the Belfast City Centre Conservation Area:

·        Nos. 3-5 Rosemary Street;

·        Nos. 9-13 Rosemary Street;

·        Nos. 2-22 North Street; and

·        Nos 30-34 North Street.

            The Committee was advised that planning permission had previously been granted for a wider redevelopment scheme (Z/2010/1532/F & LA04/2016/2327/F) which included the demolition of the buildings.  Conservation Area Consent was also granted for the demolition of the buildings. 

            The Senior Planning officer explained that the previous permissions had established the principle of demolition of the building.

            She advised the Members that one representation had been received regarding the application, raising concerns regarding the impact on the character of the area on the demolition of No. 2 North Street. Objections had also been received to the associated outline planning application LA04/2017/2341/O regarding the amount of demolition and loss of historic fabric across the scheme.  The Conservation Officer had no objection.

            The Chairperson put the officer’s recommendation to approve the application, subject to the imposing of the conditions, and to delegate power to the Director of Planning and Building Control for the final wording of the conditions, to the Committee. 

            On a vote by show of hands, seven Members voted for the proposal and five against and it was accordingly declared carried.

            The Senior Planning officer provided the Committee with the details of the application for the full demolition of the following non-listed buildings, which were located within the Belfast City Centre Conservation Area:

·        Nos. 20-22 Donegall Street; and

·        Nos. 29a-31 North Street.

            She also explained that permission for partial demolition was sought for the following non-listed buildings, which were located within the Cathedral City Centre Conservation Area:

·        Nos. 16-18 Donegall Street;

·        Nos. 24 Donegall Street;

·        Nos. 13-15 North Street;

·        Nos. 17-23 North Street; and

·        Nos. 25-29 North Street.

            The Committee was advised that planning permission had previously been granted for a wider redevelopment scheme (Z/2010/1532/F & LA04/2016/2327/F) which included the demolition of the buildings.  Conservation Area Consent was also granted for the demolition of the buildings. 

            The Senior Planning officer explained that the previous permissions had established the principle of demolition of the buildings.

            She advised the Members that no representations had been received regarding the application. However, objections had been received to the associated outline planning application LA04/2017/2341/O regarding the amount of demolition and loss of historic fabric across the scheme. The Conservation Officer had no objection.

            The Chairperson put the officer’s recommendation to approve the application, subject to the imposing of the conditions, and to delegate power to the Director of Planning and Building Control for the final wording of the conditions, to the Committee. 

            On a vote by show of hands, nine Members voted for the proposal and three against and it was accordingly declared carried.