UK: Northern Ireland’s Planning Appeals Commission has overturned Belfast City Council’s decision to deny planning permission for a student accommodation scheme near Great Victoria Street.
With the overturned ruling, Artemis Developments is proposing 354 student units on Glenalpin Street, located between Shaftesbury Square and Sandy Row.
When first proposed in November 2023, Belfast City Council refused the project, stating the scheme was “unacceptable” due to its location within a residential area. Following a petition with 271 signatures, Artemis has received the green light to proceed with the project.
Despite a significant number of petition signatures, a DUP Assembly member claimed the community is “totally opposed to this type of development in the urban village of Sandy Row.”
A key point of contention in the proposal is the centrally located surface-level car park, which sits adjacent to a controversial bonfire site.
However, a recent ruling published by the PAC stated the future student scheme is not in an established residential area, contrary to Belfast City Council’s claims. The PAC also ruled that 354 units of student housing would not have a significant impact on the privacy or amenity of nearby residents.
This overturn reflects a growing number of student accommodation schemes in Belfast, such as MRP’s recent approval for a 895-unit student accommodation scheme between Castle Street, Queen Street and Fountain Street.
Highlights:
- Northern Ireland’s Planning Appeals Commission has overturned Belfast City Council’s refusal of a student accommodation project.
- Artemis Developments will build 354 student units on Glenalpin Street, near Great Victoria Street.
- The Commission found that the proposed site is not in an established residential area, contradicting the Council’s original reasoning for refusing the scheme.
- Despite a petition with 271 signatures and support from planning authorities, local opposition remains.
