A Northern Ireland Government minister has claimed the benefits from a multi-million pound scheme to regenerate Belfast’s historic docks far outweigh the effect it will have on nearby landmark buildings.
Announcing outline planning permission for the City Quays One development plan, environment minister Mark H Durkan effectively gave the green light to a £250m project to build a five-storey office block, hotel, cafes, restaurants, retail outlets on 20 acres of neglected quayside.
His decision comes despite concerns from the historic monuments section of his own Department of the Environment expressing concerns the new high-rise tower will have on the Harbour Commissioners Office and the historic Sinclair Seaman’s Church.
The minister said he had taken into consideration fears over the proximity of the two listed buildings, but added: “I have concluded that on balance the regeneration potential of the development coupled with the prospective economic benefits and associated job creation outweighs these concerns.”
Once a thriving dock which later housed a Seacat ferry terminal, the new scheme will occupy a peninsula site between the Clarendon wet dock and the River Lagan. “It will revitalise a site which has been underused for a number of years,” he added.
“The mix of business and residential uses plus a hotel, small scale retail services and restaurants will make this a vibrant hub which is more accessible for everyone. It will also provide a better link from the city centre along the river on the east of the M3 to the maritime heritage currently preserved at the heart of the site.
“Having this in place should help attract investment and encourage further job creation, particularly when added to the other recent planning approval for the Belfast Harbour Commissioners at this site,” said Durkan.
Graeme Johnston is property director at Belfast Harbour Commissioners, which sought permission for the office-led scheme. “The award of outline planning approval for the entire scheme will enable us to progress more detailed plans and showcase the full City Quays project to potential investors,” he said.
In the summer the commissioners launched the search to find an operator for the 290,000 sq ft hotel. “The addition of this hotel further demonstrates Belfast Harbour Commissioners’ commitment to the continued revitalisation of this area of the city,” commented Northern Ireland’s regional development minister, Danny Kennedy.
“Not only will it provide a welcome boost to the local, and indeed regional, economy in terms of creating employment, it will also help satisfy Belfast’s fast growing demand for top class hotel and conference facilities.”
The annual Northern Ireland Hotel Industry survey, published in August, found that demand for bedrooms had grown during the year, with an average occupancy rate of 74.8 per cent, up from 73.2 per cent in 2012. Year-on-year total hospitality revenues increased by 9.8 per cent — pumping £723m into the local economy.
Chief executive of Visit Belfast, Gerry Lennon, also welcomed the City Quays go-ahead. “With world-class attractions such as Titanic Belfast (pictured), conference centres such as the Waterfront Hall and headline acts choosing to host their events in Belfast, it is important we see further investment in the commercial accommodation sector to meet the growing demand for hotel rooms,” he stressed.
Previous Post
Rising Farmland Values bring Fields of Gold
