49-57 Ladas Drive, BT6 9FR
About 49-57 Ladas Drive
49-57 Ladas Drive is currently a vacant hardstanding area. Historically, it accommodated a car dealership and showroom, though these structures have since been removed. No vegetation or landscaping currently exists on-site, and the land is now underutilized.
In October 2023, a Pre-Application Discussion (PAD) was submitted (LA04/2023/4263/PAD). The original concept involved 38 units across four blocks. Following feedback from statutory consultees and planning officers, the scheme was refined and resubmitted as a full planning application.
In May 2025, Blue Horizon Developments submitted a planning application (LA04/2025/0748/F) proposing the construction of 36 social apartments split into two blocks:
Block A: 30 apartments
Block B: 6 apartments
The apartment mix has been tailored by Radius Housing to meet current social housing needs in Belfast:
17 x General Needs Apartments (2-bed, 3-person)
15 x Category 1 Apartments (2-bed, 3-person)
4 x Wheelchair-accessible Apartments (2-bed, 3-person)
The development prioritises a traditional streetscape along Ladas Drive, creating an active frontage that integrates into the local built environment. Key design elements include:
A new vehicular and pedestrian access point from Ladas Drive
A central landscaped community garden representing over 10% of the total site area
Surface-level car parking with 26 spaces, including accessible bays
Passive surveillance of public areas for enhanced security
Massing that respects adjacent properties, with 2.5–3 storey heights facing the street and a 4-storey block with flat roof set further back
The external materials include brick and render finishes, UPVC windows, grey roof tiles, and sympathetic boundary treatments using brick walls and fencing to reflect neighbouring residential styles.
Project Information
Project Team
Loading
Cathedral Buildings
Updated 10 months ago
Cathedral Buildings was constructed in the early 1900s for tea merchant F.R. Lepper. The B1 Listed building is situated on the south west side of Donegall Street and consists of four floors. The Cathedral Building comprises of solid brick walls with sandstone bands, three large gables, tall chimneystacks and a high pitched Westmoreland slate roof with dormer windows. The Cathedral Buildings is primarily used for office space and is home to a range of businesses, artists and groups.
The Arches Centre
Updated 2 years ago
The Arches Centre is situated on land adjacent to and south of the Newtownards Road. It includes several commercial premises on the northern, eastern, and southern sides of the site, hosting retailers like Wyse Byse and various small businesses. The first and second floors are used for office space, storage, and as a temporary art studio. An asphalt public parking area is located immediately south of the site.
Weavers' Hall
Updated 5 months ago
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.
