88-bedroom hotel at 34-44 Bedford Street and 6 Clarence Street, Belfast

“Proposal: Proposed change of use from Office (B1) and restaurant (Sui Generis) to Hotel comprising of 88 no. bedrooms, two storey rooftop extension, restaurant and bar offerings, gym facilities, including new dormer windows on roof, internal and external refurbishment and alterations, and all associated site works.”

“The site is located in Belfast City Centre, and within the Linen Conservation Area.”

“The site relates to properties comprising Nos. 34-44 Bedford Street and Nos. 4-6 Clarence Street which form an urban block. 34-36 Bedford Street is the site of the proposal positioned at the corner of Bedford Street and Clarence Street. It is an unlisted Victorian brick structure. It is a 3 storey warehouse style building in cream brick with channelled stone ground floor. The building wraps around a central courtyard.”

“The principle of the proposed change of use to a hotel is acceptable given the accessible city centre location and creation of a tourist facility providing overnight accommodation to support the city centre economy.”

“The height, scale, form and design of the proposed rooftop extension are considered to be in keeping with the building and the Conservation Area. The more traditional shopfront elements of the ground floor frontage are being retained, including a recessed doorway, whilst those elements considered to be less traditional and of less architectural merit are being replaced with a traditional shop front style façade, respecting the character of the building.”

“Statutory Consultees DfI Roads – No objection.”

“The application has been advertised in the newspaper and neighbours notified. No third-party representations were received.”

“The Committee granted planning permission and Conservation Area Consent, subject to conditions.”

“The Committee delegated authority to the Director of Planning and Building Control to finalise the wording of the conditions and to deal with any other issues that might arise, provided that they were not substantive.”