UK: Software company Kainos and Queen’s University have submitted planning applications for a new office block and a PBSA scheme at the site of the former Movie House cinema on Belfast’s Dublin Road.
Kainos had originally planned to build on the whole site, but later revised down its scheme after selling part of the site to Queen’s.
The first application is for a proposed 14-storey and basement purpose-built grade A office premises, with retail and restaurant units on the ground floor. The plan includes external landscaped terrace areas, public realm works, and associated site works at 14 Dublin Road.
The second application is for a 17-storey purpose-built managed student accommodation building comprising 459 units, with communal facilities, internal and external communal amenity space, also at 14 Dublin Road. The building would have additional use of accommodation outside term time.
The Belfast Council environmental health response team stated in the planning documents: “The robust management of student behaviour at large scale purpose-built student accommodation schemes is critical to the integration and success of these large schemes as well as essential to protect the residential amenity of existing residents of the area. The developer is recommended to employ the services of an operator with a proven track regard in successfully delivering other similar large scale student schemes in similar settings.”
The building could be completed by 2027 if granted planning consent.
