103 city-centre apartments at Marlborough House at no. 28-32 Victoria Street, Belfast

What was proposed

The application proposed demolishing buildings, refurbishing the listed Princes Court and creating 103 apartments with private and communal amenity space.

“LA04/2024/1592/F: Residential development comprising the demolition of no. Marlborough Street, partial demolition of existing Marlborough House, and the refurbishment of existing Listed Building (Princes Court) (3 storeys), for the erection of 103 no. apartments (mix of 1-bed, 2-bed and 3 bed units) (8 storeys), with provision of private amenity, and internal and external communal amenity spaces; and associated site and infrastructure works. (amended description)”

“LA04/2024/1595/LBC: Proposed residential development comprising the demolition of no. Marlborough Street, partial demolition of existing Marlborough House, and the refurbishment of existing Listed Building (Princes Court), for the erection of 103 no. apartments (mix of 1-bed, 2-bed and 3 bed units), with provision of private amenity, and internal and external communal amenity spaces; and associated site and infrastructure works.”

Officer report

The site and surroundings

The site included a vacant five-storey office building and a three-storey listed building, bounded by streets, apartments and a bus station.

“This application relates to the existing Marlborough House and listed Prince’s Court buildings. The site is bounded by Marlborough Street to the south of the site, Victoria Street to the west, Queen’s Square apartments to the north and Laganside bus station to the east.”

“The site area is approximately 0.18 ha and currently has a vacant 5 storey office building on site and a 3-storey listed building situated within the site. The surrounding buildings are of a similar scale.”

Officer report

Earlier permissions

Earlier permissions covered façade works, hotel and apartment development, changes of use and alterations involving the surrounding buildings.

“Z/1998/2165 – 8 Marlborough Street and 2-4 Prince’s Court. Conversion of existing property including 5 storey extension to Marlborough Street to allow for 4 Apartments on upper floors and ground floor providing Storage/ancillary accommodation to approved hotel at the Mccausland site. Proposal also includes alterations to Prince's Court facade. Permission granted 12/08/1998.”

“Z/1997/2678 – 8 Marlborough Street and 2-4 Prince’s Court. Construction of 3 storey building comprising storage and Ancillary accommodation to ground floor; offices to 1 st Floor; apartment to 2nd floor and changes to facade at Prince's court elevation. (all uses ancillary to Approved hotel at McCausland site). Permission granted 22/12/1997”

Officer report

Why officers recommended approval

Officers considered the site suitable for housing, the design appropriate, transport arrangements acceptable and the social housing provision policy-compliant.

“The proposal would provide no dedicated parking; however, this is considered acceptable given the highly sustainable location of the site with good access to public transport, travel plan, commitment to green travel measures and access to public car parks.”

“The application proposes the delivery of 80% affordable housing comprising social rented housing within the development which complies with Policy HOU5. NIHE is supportive of the affordable housing provision.”

Officer report

Who spoke

A planning representative, an applicant representative and the project architect addressed the committee in support of the proposal.

What the committee considered

The committee heard that the listed building and office building were vacant, the scheme supported city-centre living and the bus station’s future had been considered.

“He stated that the main public façade of the site was the existing vacant six story office building, Marlborough House, which had been vacant since 2022. He informed the Committee that the office building was no longer fit for purpose which had led to the opportunity to repurpose the building and increase the presence of city centre living.”

“He stated that the relationship between the proposal and the existing Laganside Bus Centre had been carefully considered whereby the apartments had been designed so as not to prejudice the ongoing operations of the bus centre mindful of the potential aspirations of the bus centre to redevelop.”

Minutes

The committee’s decision

The committee granted planning permission subject to conditions and a Section 76 agreement, with delegated authority to finalise details and explore play-area funding.

“The Committee granted planning permission, subject to conditions and a Section 76 planning agreement, and delegated authority to the Director of Planning and Building Control to finalise the wording of the conditions and Section 76 planning agreement, to include exploring the option of securing a Financial Developer Contribution for the funding of an equipped children’s play area, and to deal with any other issues that might arise, provided that they were not substantive.”

Minutes