Noise condition variation at Land adjacent to Quay Gate House 15 Scrabo Street Belfast BT5 4D: footpaths and public realm at Scrabo Street Station

What was proposed

The application sought to change when the final noise assessment must be submitted, from before construction to before windows and ventilation are installed.

“This application seeks planning permission for the variation of condition 5 of planning approval LA04/2019/2387/F. Condition 5 relates to the submission of a Final Noise Impact Assessment prior to commencement of construction of the approved development.”

“- Acceptability of the revised trigger for the timing of the requirement to submit a Final Noise Impact Assessment. If approved, the trigger would change From ‘prior to the commencement of development’ to ‘prior to installation of windows and means of ventilation’.”

Officer report

The site

The site is a 0.46-hectare car park at Scrabo Street, beside the M3 on-slip and beneath an elevated railway line.

“Description of Site The application site is located at Scrabo Street within Belfast City Centre and adjacent to the junction with the M3 on-slip. It comprises a car park area associated with an adjacent office building. It is approximately 0.46 hectares in size. It includes a hard surfaced area underneath an existing elevated railway line. Boundary treatments comprise a mixture of wall and railings approximately 2-3m in height.”

“There is a block of apartments further to the west of the site, beyond the railway bridge. Sites opposite and closest to the site are vacant with no ongoing uses.”

Officer report

Earlier permission

The earlier permission allowed 151 apartments with ancillary facilities, car parking and public realm improvements, and was granted in 2021.

“The original planning permission was granted on 5 th August 2021 for a ‘residential development comprising 151 apartments and ancillary uses including; management suite, communal space, reception area and servicing (refuse/recycling/bicycle storage) and plant equipment; and associated car parking and public realm improvements to Scrabo Street, Station Street and Middlepath Street’.”

Officer report

Consultation responses

Environmental Health had no objection, and neighbours were notified and the application was advertised without any representations being received.

“Representations The application was notified to the relevant neighbours and advertised in the local press.”

Officer report

Who spoke

The Principal Planning Officer summarised the application and explained the revised noise-assessment trigger and the reasons officers considered it acceptable.

The committee’s decision

The committee granted permission to vary Condition 5 and delegated final wording of the conditions to the Director of Planning and Building Control.

“The Committee granted planning permission to vary Condition 5 and delegated authority to the Director of Planning and Building Control to finalise the wording of the conditions.”

Minutes