Community wellbeing centre and cafe at The Lockhouse 13 River Terrace, Belfast

“Development Management Officer Report Committee Date: December 2025 Application ID: LA04/2025/1454/F Proposal: New community wellbeing centre and cafe extension to existing lockhouse building Location: The Lockhouse 13 River Terrace Belfast BT7 2EN”

“Contact Officer: Ciara Reville, Principal Planning Officer (Development Management) Executive Summary: This application seeks full planning permission for the construction of new community wellbeing centre and cafe extension to existing lockhouse building…”

“Description of the Site and Area The site is made-up of two distinct plots, one is a two-storey detached dwelling finished in a painted render, the building sits within its plot with well defined boundaries of fencing and mature hedging. The second plot is an area of open space currently laid out in grass and public pathways forming part of the Lagan walkway.”

“Background: Previous planning approval has been granted on this site for a similar development (ref. LA04/2022/1499/F) approved 8 th October 2024; survey works prior to commencement of development found a sewage pipe previously unknown. To overcome the issue of the sewage pipe, the proposal was redesigned with the extension rotated 90 degrees as detailed in the plans in this report.”

“Key Issues The main issues relevant to consideration of the application are: • The principle of development • Impact on the character and appearance of the area • Impact on the setting of Scheduled Monument • Impact on Open Space • Impact on amenity • Access and parking • Flooding • Waste-water infrastructure…”

“NI Water and Historic Environment Division have offered no objection. DfI Roads seeks additional information. BCC Environmental Health, NIEA, SES and Rivers Agency were also consulted; Planning Service is currently waiting responses. The application has been brought before committee before the completion of the consultation process due to a funding deadline.”

“The application has been advertised in the press and neighbours have been notified. One third-party representation of objection was received. Issues raised include: - Development on green space The proposal is considered to be a betterment for the open space providing more facilities for the local community (Officer response) - Contamination of the land.”

“The land contamination issue was resolved within application LA04/2023/1499/F and it is considered a solution can be found following consultation with BCC EHO and NIEA (Officer response)”

“She displayed the previous and current site layout plans and explained the significance of the design changes. She stated that it was recommended that the application be approved, subject to conditions.”

“The Committee approved the application, subject to conditions, and delegated authority to the Director of Planning and Building Control to finalise the wording of conditions, and deal with the outstanding DFI Roads, NIEA and SES consultation responses and any other issues that might arise, provided they were not substantive.”