Five major developments approved as Belfast backs new hotels, care homes and apartments

CGI image of the hotel development in Rosemary Street approved at Belfast City Council’s Planning Committee this evening. This development will bring a 30-bedroom hotel with associated facilities and café.

Belfast’s city centre is set for a significant boost in visitor accommodation, residential care provision and housing after planners approved five major developments that will reshape a number of prominent buildings across the city.

The decisions, taken by Belfast City Council’s Planning Committee this month, pave the way for two new city centre hotels, two residential nursing care facilities and the transformation of a historic listed building into new apartments.

Together, the approvals represent a substantial investment in Belfast’s tourism infrastructure, housing stock and care sector, while breathing new life into a number of existing buildings through redevelopment and conversion projects.

Two new hotels approved for Belfast city centre

Among the most significant approvals were plans for two new hotels that will add more than 100 bedrooms to Belfast city centre and increase accommodation capacity for visitors.

The first proposal will see Lindsay House on Callendar Street transformed from its current mix of fast food, restaurant, retail and office uses into a 76-bedroom hotel.

The development will also include a ground-floor bar and restaurant, creating a new hospitality destination in the heart of the city while bringing a prominent building into a new commercial use.

A second application approved by the committee will convert office and retail premises on Rosemary Street into a 30-bedroom hotel complete with associated facilities and a café.

The approvals come as Belfast continues to grow its reputation as a tourism and business destination, with demand for city centre accommodation remaining strong throughout the year.

New care facilities to meet growing demand

CGI image of the nursing home development in Cromac Place approved at Belfast City Council’s Planning Committee this evening. This development will see the conversion of the site to provide nursing home accommodation with 156-bedrooms.

Planning permission was also granted for two major residential nursing care developments aimed at supporting Belfast’s growing demand for care services.

One of the largest schemes approved involves the former Halifax building at Cromac Place, which will be converted into a 156-bedroom nursing home facility.

The redevelopment will provide accommodation units alongside an ancillary scanning unit, supporting office accommodation and associated landscaping works.

A second care development has been approved at Netherleigh House, the former headquarters of the Department for the Economy and a Grade B1 listed building.

CGI image of the residential and nursing care facilities in Netherleigh House approved at Belfast City Council’s Planning Committee this evening. This development will see the conversion of the Grade B1 listed building to include an extension to existing office block and build of 36 assisted living apartments over two four-storey blocks.

The proposal will convert the existing office accommodation into residential and nursing care facilities while preserving the historic character of the building.

The scheme will also include an extension to the existing office block and the construction of 36 assisted living apartments spread across two four-storey buildings.

The development is expected to increase specialist accommodation options for older residents while giving a long-term future to one of Belfast’s notable listed properties.

Historic former Good Shepherd Centre to become apartments

Another key approval will secure the future of the former Good Shepherd Centre, a Grade B1 listed building on the Ormeau Road.

The committee approved plans to convert the historic property into 28 residential apartments comprising one-bedroom, two-bedroom and three-bedroom homes.

The redevelopment includes a ground-floor extension, changes to the external layout, a revised parking arrangement and a new access point from the Ormeau Road.

The project is designed to preserve and repurpose the historic building while delivering additional housing within the city.

Committee chair welcomes approvals

Councillor Ryan Murphy, Chair of Belfast City Council’s Planning Committee, said the approvals would provide benefits for both residents and visitors.

He said:

“We have had a range planning applications through Planning Committee this month which will benefit our residents and visitors alike, through the provision of much needed accommodation in our city.

“It’s great to see plans approved that will further enhance Belfast’s tourism infrastructure, increasing accommodation capacity and providing visitors with a wider range of hotel options.

“It’s also good news for residents with the approval for the development of new apartment dwellings in the south of the city.

“The approval of two new residential care facilities, is also good news for local residents. These facilities will help meet the growing demand for care services and ensure that more people can access quality care services and further the council’s agenda of supporting older people in our communities.”

What happens next?

With planning approval now secured, developers can move forward with the detailed delivery of the projects, subject to any planning conditions attached to the permissions.

Collectively, the five schemes represent a significant step in the continued regeneration of Belfast, bringing new hotel capacity, additional housing and expanded care provision while ensuring several landmark buildings are given a sustainable future rather than remaining underused.