Belfast City Council Approves Major Residential Developments

Belfast City Council's Planning Committee has approved plans for major residential developments and a clinical research facility.

At the former Belvoir Park Hospital site in south Belfast the green light has been given for 33 dwellings which will enable the restoration of three dilapidated listed former pavilions, deliver imrpoved equipped open space for existing and new residents, secure five category 1 social /affordable houses and improved links for existing housing to Ballylesson Road and adjacent woodland.

At Gaffikin Street, Sandy Row the committee also granted approval for 55 apartments which includes a mix of social and private units.

The Planning Committee also approved a planning application for Queen's University Belfast's new iREACH Health innovation centre on the Lisburn Road. Full planning permission was granted for the erection of four and five storey clinical research buildings on either side of the Lisburn Road replacing the existing Russell Court buildings currently at the site.


iREACH Health, funded by the Belfast Region City Deal program, will establish a facility next to Belfast City Hospital. It aims to advance clinical research, testing medicines, technologies and therapies to improve health outcomes in Northern Ireland and beyond.

The Planning Committee granted approval for the conversion of the former Belfast Telegraph building's Print Hall, located on the ground floor in the city centre on Royal Avenue, into a conference centre and events space facility.

Additionally, a planning application for a single-story extension to the Gael-Ionad Mhic Goill building at Glor Na Mona centre in west Belfast was also approved. This extension will include added common room and classroom facilities, a reception area, a multi-purpose room, a heritage café space, an outdoor performance area and landscaped areas.

Chair of the council's Planning Committee, Councillor Matt Garrett, said: "Once again, our Planning Committee decisions are helping to build Belfast to benefit our residents, student population and visitors to the city."