Artemis Developments has successfully overturned Belfast City Council’s decision to refuse planning permission for a major purpose-built student accommodation (PBSA) scheme just off Great Victoria Street in Belfast.
Plans have now been granted for the delivery of 354 PBSA student bedrooms on the surface-level car park site at Glenalpin Street, located between Shaftesbury Square and Sandy Row.
Belfast City Council’s planning committee originally refused planning permission for the project in November 2023, declaring the scheme ‘unacceptable’ due to its location within an established residential area.
Now, the Planning Appeals Commission (PAC) has overturned that decision and given Artemis the green light to proceed with the major build.
A ruling published by the PAC found the student scheme is not in an established residential area as defined by Belfast City Council’s Local Development Plan: Plan Strategy 2035.
Allowing the appeal by Artemis Developments, Commissioner Stevenson also found that a lack of standard car parking was considered acceptable for a PBSA scheme.
The ruling also said the 354-units would not unduly affect the privacy or amenity of neighbouring residents.
