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Bankmore Exchange
Updated 12 days ago
<p>Bankmore Exchange, formerly known as One Bankmore Square, was previously the location of a four storey building that housed a cinema and two ground floor commercial units. The cinema comprised of 10 screens with seating capacities ranging from 118 to 436 seats. The cinema opened in July 1993 (Z/1990/2630) under the MGM brand. The cinema changed operators numerous times throughout its history, with Virgin taking over on 4th July 1996, UGC taking over in February 2000 and then later taken over by local independent operator Movie House chain in December 2003. The commercial units had numerous tenants throughout the years too such as the Chicago Pizza Pie Factory, Stiff Kitten, Burger King, Abbots fast food takeway, Stann and Olly's Restaurant and Factory Nightclub. A mutli storey car park was also constructed as part of the cinema project (both built under <a href="https://planningregister.planningsystemni.gov.uk/application/389269" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Z/1990/2630</a>).</p><p><br></p><p>In March 2017, Richland Belfast One Ltd submitted a planning application (<a href="https://planningregister.planningsystemni.gov.uk/application/498821" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">LA04/2017/0562/F</a>) proposing to demolish the existing cinema building and to develop a new 12 storey Grade A office building comprising eleven floors of offices above a ground floor foyer and retail units and basement parking. The plans also proposed the refurbishment of Bankmore Square open space and wider public realm improvements to surrounding footpath network. This application was recommended approval in the <a href="https://minutes.belfastcity.gov.uk/ieListDocuments.aspx?CId=167&MId=8331&Ver=4" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">May 2017 Belfast City Council Planning Committee</a> but was later withdrawn in December 2020. </p><p><br></p><p>In February 2019, Kainos Group plc announced that it had bought the One Bankmore Square site for £7.05million. The company stated that it wanted to build it's new flagship headquarters to house 1000 staff members. Kainos chief executive Brendan Mooney also confirmed that the company will submit its own planning application for an office complex of around half that size of the office development previously proposed.</p><p><br></p><p>In Febraury 2020, Kainos submitted a Proposal of Application Notice (<a href="https://planningregister.planningsystemni.gov.uk/application/506085" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">LA04/2020/0297/PAN</a>) proposing to develop a new £40m office on the site.</p><p><br></p><p>Movie House Cinema announced their Dublin Road site would close on 26th April 2020. However, this closure was postponed and the site closed in March 2020 due to the the Covid-19 pandemic.</p><p><br></p><p>In May 2021, McCormack Demolition began to demolish the Movie House Cinema building.</p><p><br></p><p>In July 2021, Seven7Social Ltd submitted a planning application (<a href="https://planningregister.planningsystemni.gov.uk/application/509015" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">LA04/2021/1703/F</a>) seeking the temporary erection (for 2 years) of shipping containers to form an outdoor public house, food and retail market with associated covered canopies, seating and bounsary treatments. This application was approved in May 2022. As part of these plans, Kainos is to temporarily lease its Bankmore Square site to a social enterprise, which is proposing for a pop-up street food and independent retail market. This new development was to be called 'Box Office', a nod to the former Movie House and Dublin Road’s cinema history. It was originally due to open in September 2021.</p><p><br></p><p>Box Office later changed their name to 'Trademarket Belfast' due to a "trademark dispute". In June 2022, work began to take place on site, with Trademarket Belfast stating they were expecting to open later that month. The following food and retail vendors were announced for the new outdoor retail and food market; Pipián, Outside In, Pi Guy, Moon Gelato, Barkey and Waggins, Pie Queen, Rebel and Ruse, Urban Market, Kubo and Hey Chick!</p><p><br></p><p>In October 2022, Kainos sold half of its new headquarters site to Queen's University. Queens University intends to develop student accommodation on their section of the site. A development brief suggests the Queen's University's Dublin Road site could accommodate about 400 student rooms in a 13-storey tower. Kainos will also now proceed with the selection of a contractor for the construction of the new office building. It expects the project to cost between £27m and £30m.</p><p><br></p><p>In September 2023, the Pre-Application Community Consultation for Bankmore Square went live which proposed plans for a Grade A Office development for Kainos and Purpose-Built Managed Student Accommodation for QUB at 14 Dublin Road, Belfast, BT2 7HN (<a href="https://bankmoresquare.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://bankmoresquare.com/</a>).</p><p><br></p><p>In November 2023, Kainos submitted a planning application (<a href="https://planningregister.planningsystemni.gov.uk/application/679804" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">LA04/2023/4366/F</a>) proposing the development of a 14 storey (plus basement) purpose-Built Grade A Office premises with retail/restaurant unit at ground floor, including external landscaped terrace areas, public realm works, and all associated site works. This application was approved in April 2024 by the Belfast City Council Planning Committee.</p><p><br></p><p>Construction of the new Kainos HQ is due to start in September with a completion target of early 2027.</p>
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QUB Dublin Road PBMSA
Updated 12 days ago
<p>14 Dublin Road was previously the location of a four storey building that was home to Movie House Cinema and two ground floor commercial units. Movie House Cinema was demolished in the summer of 2021 and the site is now occupied by ‘Trade Market’, an outdoor public house, food, and retail market.</p><p><br></p><p>14 Dublin Road is situated on land that was previously the grounds of Bankmore House (per 1843 OS map) which was the home of the McCleery family, the wife of the family being Maria McCleery, daughter of the Irish republican Henry Joy McCracken, who was executed in Belfast for his part in leading United Irishmen in the Rebellion of 1798.</p><p><br></p><p>Bankmore House and its associated gardens were bought by the Ward family in ~1870, at which point the site was redeveloped as a printing works. By the time of the 1884 town plan Bankmore House is no longer mapped, and the Royal Ulster Works now took up a significant portion of its former footprint and grounds. No trace remained on town plans of the previous Bankmore House, which appears to have been incorporated into the Royal Ulster Works, and some of the House gardens remained as green space to the north.</p><p><br></p><p>At the end of the 19th century, the Royal Ulster Works changed hands and usage, and was converted from printing to Linen Manufacturing and became known as ‘Ulster Works (Linen)’ through to the late 1930s. Contemporary street directories list the factory as ‘John S Brown and Sons Ltd, Ulster Works Damask Linen and Handkerchief Manufacturers’. In the late 1970s the buildings on the Ulster Works (Linen) site were demolished.</p><p><br></p><p>In June 1990, Sheridan Group submitted planning application (<a href="https://planningregister.planningsystemni.gov.uk/application/389269" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Z/1990/2630</a>) proposing a £12million entertainment complex and multi-storey car</p><p>park. The entertainment complex became home of a 10 screen cinema with seating capacities ranging from 118 to 436 seats.</p><p><br></p><p>In March 2017, Richland Belfast One Ltd submitted a planning application (<a href="https://planningregister.planningsystemni.gov.uk/application/498821" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">LA04/2017/0562/F</a>) proposing to demolish the existing cinema building and to develop a new 12 storey Grade A office building comprising eleven floors of offices above a ground floor foyer and retail units and basement parking. The plans also proposed the refurbishment of Bankmore Square open space and wider public realm improvements to surrounding footpath network. This application was recommended approval in the <a href="https://minutes.belfastcity.gov.uk/ieListDocuments.aspx?CId=167&MId=8331&Ver=4" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">May 2017 Belfast City Council Planning Committee</a> but was later withdrawn in December 2020. </p><p><br></p><p>In February 2019, Kainos Group plc announced that it had bought the One Bankmore Square site for £7.05million. More information on the proposed Kainos HQ development can be found <a href="https://www.planbelfast.com/project/skxvb33sgqwo-kainos-hq" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">here</a>.</p><p><br></p><p>In May 2021, McCormack Demolition began to demolish the Movie House Cinema building.</p><p><br></p><p>In July 2022, a temporary outdoor public house, food and retail market called 'Trademarket' opened on the site.</p><p><br></p><p>In October 2022, Kainos sold half of its new headquarters site to Queen's University. Queens University intends to develop student accommodation on their section of the site. A development brief suggests the Queen's University's Dublin Road site could accommodate about 400 student rooms in a 13-storey tower. Kainos will also now proceed with the selection of a contractor for the construction of the new office building. It expects the project to cost between £27m and £30m.</p><p><br></p><p>In July 2023, Queens University Belfast submitted a Proposal of Application Notice (PAN) (<a href="https://planningregister.planningsystemni.gov.uk/application/672230" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">LA04/2023/3627/PAN</a>) proposing the erection of Purpose Built, Managed Student Accommodation (PBMSA) development comprising c.475 units with communal facilities, internal and external communal amenity space and ancillary accommodation. This Proposal of Application Notice (PAN) was determined acceptable in August 2023.</p><p><br></p><p>In November 2023, Queens University Belfast submitted a full planning application (<a href="https://planningregister.planningsystemni.gov.uk/application/680205" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">LA04/2023/4373/F</a>) proposing the erection of 17 storey Purpose Built Managed Student Accommodation (PBMSA) with additional use of accommodation outside term time comprising 459 no. units with communal facilities, internal and external communal amenity space and ancillary accommodation. This application was approved in April 2024 by the Belfast City Council Planning Committee.</p><p><br></p><p>It is expected that construction of Queen's University Belfast's Dublin Road PBMSA will be completed in time for the 2026 academic year. </p>
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London Road Residential Development
Updated 12 days ago
<p>The site at London Road is a brownfield site that is currently vacant.</p><p><br></p><p>It was once the site of the former 'Loopbeidge Weaving Mill' which dates back to the early 1900s (according to historical maps).</p><p><br></p><p>The site has had numerous residential developments proposed over the years.</p><p><br></p><p>In March 2005, a planning application was submitted (<a href="https://epicpublic.planningni.gov.uk/publicaccess/applicationDetails.do?activeTab=summary&keyVal=L4MEI4SVDT974" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Z/2005/0640/O</a>) proposing a residential development of 48 No. townhouses and 26 No. apartments, associated car parking and landscaping. This application was approved in November 2005.</p><p><br></p><p>In February 2006, a planning application was submitted (<a href="https://epicpublic.planningni.gov.uk/publicaccess/applicationDetails.do?activeTab=summary&keyVal=L4MEH6SVDT938" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Z/2006/0430/RM</a>) proposing residential development of 48 Townhouses and 25 apartments, associated car parking and landscaping. This application was approved in February 2007.</p><p><br></p><p>In August 2007, Hollhouse Developments subbmited a planning application (<a href="https://epicpublic.planningni.gov.uk/publicaccess/applicationDetails.do?activeTab=summary&keyVal=L4MEHYSVDT170" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Z/2007/2030/F</a>) proposing residential development of 226 apartments, associated car parking and landscaping. This application was approved in December 2008.</p><p><br></p><p>In August 2009, Hollhouse Developments submitted a new planning application (<a href="https://epicpublic.planningni.gov.uk/publicaccess/applicationDetails.do?activeTab=summary&keyVal=L4MEHJSVDT938" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Z/2009/1139/F</a>) proposing a residential development of 176 apartments, associated car parking and landscaping. This application was approved in September 2010.</p><p><br></p><p>In September 2021, DLL Properties Ltd submitted a Proposal of Application Notice (<a href="https://epicpublic.planningni.gov.uk/publicaccess/caseDetails.do?caseType=Application&keyVal=QZIVA4SV30000" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">LA04/2021/2166/PAN</a>) propsoing a residential development comprising 121 units (apartments & duplexes) with associated private and communal amenity space, landscaping, parking provision, access and associated site works including relocation of existing sub station. An online consultation was launched at <a href="https://www.londonroadconsultation.co.uk/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://www.londonroadconsultation.co.uk/ </a> providing details on the development.</p><p><br></p><p>The proposals included 120 carp parking spaces and each apartment building would be 3 storeys in height. Approximately 4,720 sqm of public realm will be provided and a total of 88% of the units will have dedicated private amenity space in the form of balconies or private gardens.</p><p><br></p><p>In May 2022, DLL Properties Ltd submitted their full planning application (<a href="https://epicpublic.planningni.gov.uk/publicaccess/caseDetails.do?caseType=Application&keyVal=RCSHM3SV30000" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">LA04/2022/1083/F</a>) proposing 121 units & amenity space. This application was approved in April 2024 by the Belfast City Council Planning Committee.</p>
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Popular Projects
City Quays 4
Updated 3 months ago
<p>City Quays 4 is a proposed 256-apartment build-to-rent development that is part of the overall City Quays masterplan. City Quays 4 will be located next to the AC Mariott Hotel which was also built as part of the City Quays masterplan. City Quays 4 is expected to be around the same size as City Quays 3.</p><p><br></p><p>In July 2020, Belfast Harbour said it was still looking at a co-developer for its buy-to-let City Quays 4 project, but had gone through some setbacks due to the Covid-19 pandemic and as a result, may be delayed.</p><p><br></p><p>In June 2022, Belfast Harbour revealed that its financial performance bounced back in 2021 as port activities recovered to pre-Covid levels. They said that they were now in pre-application discussions about two further phases to City Quays which will include City Quays 4 - a 260-unit build-to-rent residential development and hinted towards progress on the development of City Quays 5. A planning application is expected to be submitted towards the end of 2022.</p><p><br></p><p>In September 2022, a Proposal of Application Notice was submitted for City Quays 4 (<a href="https://planningregister.planningsystemni.gov.uk/application/477806" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">LA04/2022/1752/PAN</a>) which comprises a residential apartment development comprising circa. 270 residential units, landscaping and associated site works.</p><p><br></p><p>In October 2022, the <a href="https://www.cityquaysfourconsultation.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">online consultation</a> of City Quays 4 went live. The consultation revealed plans for 270 homes, comprising of a mix of studio, one & two-bedroom homes, public and private communal spaces, co-working space, a gym and 24-hour Concierge Services. The consultation also revealed that City Quays 4 will be designed for the build-to-rent market and will offer rent-only apartments that are managed by an operator.</p><p><br></p><p>In December 2022, Belfast Harbour Commissioners submitted a planning application (<a href="https://planningregister.planningsystemni.gov.uk/application/665870" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">LA04/2023/2388/F</a>) for City Quays 4 proposing a residential development comprising 256 no. units, public realm, and associated access and site works.</p><p><br></p><p>In January 2024, City Quays 4 was recommended for approval at the Belfast City Council Planning Committee.</p>
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The Keep
Updated 3 months ago
<p>The site comprises 13-25 Castle Lane, 3-9 Corn Market & 6-18 Castle Arcade, Belfast and has been vacant since British Home Stores (BHS) entered into administration on 25th April 2016. The Keep development proposals includes the re-cladding of the exterior of the building, the creation of a new central core access from Castle Arcade, as well as the demolition of the bridge link over Castle Arcade. It will create a retail and leisure space across the four storey building which includes the sub-division of the ground floor retail floorspace into 4 No. separate retail units and 1 No. café, change of use of all upper floors from retail and ancillary storage to mixed assembly and leisure use and change of use of the rooftop to a sui-generis use for the sale of food and drink.</p><p><br></p><p>The development is located close to the original site of the fortified Jacobean castle and the original Belfast Castle which was built in the 17th Century between Cornmarket and the original Linen Hall Street. Prior to the construction of BHS, the site was formerly the home of the Classic Cinema which opened on 24th December 1923. The building also accommodated a cafe and dance hall and featured a classical colonnade along the southern elevation (Castle Lane) with a mixture of blank panels and fenestration between each vertical member. A more active frontage existed along Castle Arcade, on to which the social spaces fronted on multiple levels. </p><p><br></p><p>The Classic was renamed the Gaumont Theatre from 3rd July 1950 and was closed by the Rank Organisation on 30th September 1961. The building was demolished in 1962 to make way for the construction of the BHS department store. British Home Stores occupied the site until closing on 28th August 2016.</p><p><br></p><p>The development also incorporates the frontage along Nos. 3 – 9 Cornmarket. The original building on this site was a 4 storey Victorian building which was later replaced with a post-modern brick facade.</p><p><br></p><p>In November 2017, M&G Real Estate submitted a planning application (<a href="https://planningregister.planningsystemni.gov.uk/application/500615" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">LA04/2017/2681/F</a>) proposing the refurbishment and reconfiguration of the building including installation of new external fabric, new entrances, shopfronts, service access and services connections. This application was approved in June 2018.</p><p><br></p><p>Alterity Investments, a privately, locally owned property and investment company, acquired the site in March 2021 with plans to refurbish and reconfigure the 70,000 sq ft site.</p><p><br></p><p>In February 2022, Alterity Investments submitted a planning application (<a href="https://planningregister.planningsystemni.gov.uk/application/510157" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">LA04/2022/0535/F</a>) proposing to redevelop the existing building to provide retail units on the ground floor, a mix of leisure and hospitality uses on the upper floors and bar/ restaurant use on a rooftop terrace. The plans also include re-cladding the building. The proposals were approved at the <a href="https://minutes.belfastcity.gov.uk/ieListDocuments.aspx?CId=167&MId=11018&Ver=4" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">27th June Belfast City Council Planning Committee</a>.</p><p><br></p><p>In November 2022, works commenced on The Keep project at Castle Lane.</p><p><br></p><p>In February 2023, it was announced that Deichmann, a global footwear retailer, is set to open its first Ireland store at a new leisure and retail scheme in The Keep and will create between 15 – 20 jobs.</p><p><br></p><p>In June 2023, it was report that Apple were considering moving it's existing Apple Victoria Square retail store in Belfast to a larger location in The Keep. It was reported by Bloomberg that the new Apple retail store will open in August 2024 in The Keep.</p><p><br></p><p>In September 2023, it was confirmed that clothing brand H&M is set to open a new store in The Keep. H&M Group, will open a new 20,000 sq ft unit which will offer its full line of clothing for men, women, teenagers and children across two storey unit in The Keep development.</p>
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Andersonstown Social Club
Updated 2 years ago
<p>Andersonstown Social Club is a social club located off the Andersonstown Road and is known by locals as the PD. It was founded by Alfie Doherty and was originally known as the Prisoners’ Dependants Fund (PD F) club but was later renamed to the Andersonstown Social Club.</p><p><br></p><p>In April 2022, Andersonstown Social Club submitted a planning application (<a href="https://epicpublic.planningni.gov.uk/publicaccess/applicationDetails.do?activeTab=summary&keyVal=RBPZ6VSV30000" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">LA04/2022/0929/F</a>) proposing alterations to the existing Social Club to provide extensions to Main Hall, lounge with new external entrance, bar with covered seated patio area, smoking area and boundary wall removal.</p><p><br></p><p>There has been previous planning applications for the site including:</p><ul><li><a href="https://epicpublic.planningni.gov.uk/publicaccess/applicationDetails.do?keyVal=QGHPERSV30000&activeTab=summary" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">LA04/2020/1801/F</a> - Proposed extension to existing external smoking area for a beer garden, part of which is covered (part retrospective)</li><li><a href="https://epicpublic.planningni.gov.uk/publicaccess/applicationDetails.do?keyVal=N178NQSV30000&activeTab=summary" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Z/2014/0210/F</a> - Proposed first floor mezzanine extension to include new dormer construction, also ground floor extension</li><li><a href="https://epicpublic.planningni.gov.uk/publicaccess/applicationDetails.do?keyVal=M8FMACSV30001&activeTab=summary" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Z/2012/0939/F</a> - Replacement of external smoking area and new enclosed entrance. </li><li><a href="https://epicpublic.planningni.gov.uk/publicaccess/applicationDetails.do?keyVal=L4L3AISVDT495&activeTab=summary" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Z/1998/3007</a> - Single storey extension to existing social club to provide new entrance lobby and meeting room.</li><li><a href="https://epicpublic.planningni.gov.uk/publicaccess/applicationDetails.do?keyVal=L4L39BSVDT171&activeTab=summary" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Z/1992/2931</a> - Change of use from vacant land to car park to serve social club and relocation and extension to previously approved social club</li></ul>
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