Agenda item

            The Committee considered the aforementioned application for the erection of 13 storey Grade A office building with ground floor, first floor and mezzanine café/bar/restaurant uses (sui generis), ground floor retail unit, lobby/reception area, basement and deck car parking, servicing (refuse/recycling/cycle storage/changing facilities), landscaping/public realm works, temporary pocket park, pedestrian/ cycle access route from Bridge End, temporary pedestrian/cycle access to riverfront, associated access arrangements to Short Strand and Bridge End and other associated infrastructural works.

            The case officer informed the Committee that, after the agenda had been published, the following points had been received from the agent, on behalf of the applicant:

·        The office development had a total investment value of £50 - £70 million and the potential to create 2,500 jobs;

·        Highlighted the application’s policy considerations as outlined in greater detail in the case officer’s report and its strategic fit for Belfast;

·        Further explanation of the sequencing and status of other planning applications for the site;

·        A summary of design changes undertaken as a result of engagement with the Council’s planning team;

·        An outline of Vanguard Real Estate’s (the applicant) global experience; and

·        A summary of the economic impact of the whole development of Belfast Waterside - £400 million total investment, circa 8,000 jobs.

            The case officer outlined the response of the Planning Department to the aforementioned issues raised, as set out in the Late Items Report Pack. 

            The case officer also informed the Committee that, after the agenda had been published, further updates on the status of the following consultation responses had been received and outlined in the Late Items Reports Packs:

·        Environmental Health re: Air Quality;

·        DEARA Contamination and Marine;

·        Rivers Agency;

·        Natural Heritage;

·        Shared Environmental Services;

·        Historic Environment Division;

·        NITHC / Translink; and

·        BCC Landscape and Trees.

            The Committee received a representation from Mr. J. Osborne, applicant, Mr. M. Gordon and Mr. C. Kane, representing the applicant. 

            Mr. Osbourne outlined a range of support for the case officer’s recommendation to approve the application as follows:

·        £20 million had been invested in the project;

·        The development team had a belief in the potential of Belfast, in terms of growth in the economy and jobs;

·        The development was fully aligned with the interests of Belfast and they had carried out detailed consultations with key stakeholders;

·        They had the resources and capital to deliver on the vision as set out in their presentation;

·        They continued to bring investors to the city and were keen to evolve the site and the ‘Belfast Story’;

·        The project intended to create a development where investors could deploy their capital and would assist in driving the Belfast agenda; and

·        Investors were committed to the socially inclusive development.

            Mr. Gordon suggested that this was the third time that the site had been and it was common for a first phase of a development to be granted planning permission ahead of the wider outline plan proposal. He suggested further that this application would not prejudice the wider site proposal but would support the site for future development.

            During points of clarification, the agents provided further details in relation to the potential for job creation, the proposed cycle provision and the continued investment of the development.

            During discussion, the case officer confirmed that there was an error, under the Executive Summary and paragraph 9.40 of the report, which should read: ‘Residential properties are also located within Short Strand and are approximately 170m from the nearest dwelling to the eastern elevation.’

            The Committee approved the application, subject to the imposing of the conditions set out in the case officer’s report and, in accordance with Section 76 of the Planning Act (Northern Ireland) 2015, delegated power to the Director of Planning and Building Control, in conjunction with the City Solicitor, to enter into discussions with the applicant to explore the scope of any Planning Agreements which might be realised by way of developer contributions and, if so, to enter into such an Agreement on behalf of the Council. The Committee also delegated power to the Director of Planning and Building Control for the final wording of the conditions.