Agenda item

The Planning Manager provided the Committee with an overview of the application and outline the following key issues for consideration:

·        Principle of development;

·        Demolition;

·        Impact of the new buildings on the character of the Area of Townscape Character;

·        Impact on amenity;

·        Built heritage;

·        Climate change;

·        Health impacts;

·        Access and parking;

·        Natural heritage;

·        Drainage and Waste-Water Infrastructure;

·        Noise, odour and other environmental impacts;

·        Trees and landscaping; and

·        Employability and Skills.

He reported that the application had raised concern with regard to recommend condition two which required the buildings to meet BREEAM Excellent, or comparable standards, as required by Policy DES2 on the basis that the proposal was targeted for BREEAM Excellent, rather than being an outright commitment and that the condition would require evidence of BREEAM Excellent rating prior to occupation and that certification could take a significant time, based on final construction evidence.  He stated that officers were advising that condition two could either be removed or amended, having regard to the wider considerable benefits of the scheme.

            The Planning Manager explained that he applicant had also pointed out that the proposal did not incorporate sustainable drainage systems (SuDS) and had therefore requested that reference to the requirement for SuDS be removed from condition nine.  He advised that officers were of the opinion that there would be limited opportunity for SuDS to be incorporated into the scheme and, therefore, having regard to the wider benefits of the proposal, the omission of SuDS was considered acceptable.

            He concluded by stating that it was recommended that the application be approved, subject to conditions.

            The Chairperson welcomed Ms. H. Harrison, Juno Planning, Mr. C. Maguire, QUB, and Mr. S. Gallagher, Todd Architects, to the meeting.

            Mr. Maguire explained that the iREACH project was being delivered as part of the Belfast Regions City Deal and would be a major development for the Health Research sector in Northern Ireland, Queen’s University and all of the key stakeholders and partners, that included Belfast City Council.

            He stated that the project would create a joined-up pathway for research organisations, health services and research networks while providing state of the art, unified clinical trial and research space and bring together private and public sector research expertise.

            He stated that, in collaboration with the integrated consultant team and the main contractor, the project would deliver social value opportunities with tangible benefits to the local community and create a number of economic benefits.

            Mr. Gallagher explained that the project consisted of a park of buildings, positioned on either side of the Lisburn Road, designed to establish a coherent relationship with each other and to address the current lack of urban definition, that would provide continuity of the streetscape established by the nearby period and listed buildings.

            He stated that the aim had been to create appropriately scaled and legible built form, enhanced by soft landscaping to provide defensible space at the buildings; interface with the footway, together with a generous south facing public plaza to one side of the road.

            He pointed out that key views of the listed Wilmot Terrace, to the west side of the carriageway, were maintained and an additional level of articulation would be provided to the adjacent iREACH podium, to create a more appropriately scaled and respectful relationship with the existing terrace and adjoining public space.

            Ms. Harrison stated that the pre-application community consultation (PACC) period had ran from 6th to 31st March, 2023, and had comprised an in-person event at the students’ union, an online event, hand delivered letters to properties within 200 metres of the site and responses had been invited in person, by email and by letter.  She reported that ten people had attended the consultation event and five feedback forms had been completed, all of which supported the development.

            The Committee granted planning permission, subject to conditions and delegated authority to the Director of Planning and Building Control to finalise the wording of conditions, and to deal with any other matters that might arise prior to issuing the decision, including the further consultation response from DfI Roads, provided that they were not substantive.

(Councillors T. Brooks and Whyte returned to the meeting.)