Short-term holiday let at 3 Broadway Link, Belfast

“The application seeks retention of a change of use from dwelling to short term let accommodation.”

“Retrospective change of use from dwelling to short term let accommodation…”

“The site is situated at 3 Broadway Link, Belfast, BT12 6EX, a two storey semi-detached dwelling finished in red brick. To the rear of the site there is a small yard which provides storage for bins. The surrounding area is predominantly residential and is characterised by semi-detached red brick dwellings.”

“The proposal complies with policy HOU3 and HOU13 of the Belfast Local Development Plan. The dwelling is not located within an HMA and retains permeant residential use on the site. It will not impact negatively on existing residential amenity, strengthens and diversifies short term let accommodation, is located close to public transport and within walking distance of a tourist attraction. Appropriate management arrangements will be sought via planning condition.”

“Having regard to the Development Plan and material considerations, it is recommended that planning permission is granted subject to conditions.”

“Several Members raised concerns with regard to the property having been already in use as a short-term let property and expressed doubt that there was, and would be, a permanent resident residing within the property, one Member demonstrated at the meeting that the three-bedroom property was available to book online in its entirety.”

“Another Member, who had been present at a recent Committee site visit to the property, highlighted that there were a number of key lock boxes attached to the outside of the property which further inferred that there was no permanent resident.”

“That the Committee agrees to refuse the application on the grounds of the protection of residential stock and that the type of accommodation was not in keeping with the local community.”

“Resolved – “That the Committee agrees to defer consideration of the application to allow officers to carry out an assessment on potential reasons for refusal based on the concerns raised by the Committee.”