Belfast City Airport has raised concerns over a proposed 17-storey student accommodation block at Great Victoria Street. The plan, put forward by development company South Bank Square, involves the demolition of existing Fanum House and Norwood House to make way for a new building that will house 594 purpose-built, managed student accommodation units, including a mix of clusters and studios, as well as landscaped roof terraces.
The project, known as the Grattan, is estimated to cost £45 million and is expected to generate 790 jobs during the construction phase, injecting £48 million into the local economy. However, concerns have been raised by various stakeholders, including Belfast City Airport, over the potential impact of the development.
Belfast City Airport has highlighted that the proposed building will infringe upon the airport’s obstacle limitation surfaces by approximately 5.4 meters, with the use of cranes during construction likely to exacerbate the issue. In response to these concerns, the Northern Ireland Environment Agency has offered no objections to the proposal, while NI Water has raised objections.
Shared Environmental Services, a council organization covering all of Northern Ireland, has stated that the application will have “no adverse effect on site integrity.” Despite this assurance, Belfast City Airport’s concerns remain a focal point of discussion as the application undergoes further review.
Savills Residential Research and Consultancy has identified a growing demand for student accommodation in Belfast, with only a quarter of the student population currently housed in purpose-built managed student accommodation. According to Savills, there is a pressing need for additional bed spaces to accommodate the city’s student population, which stood at 42,660 in the 2021/22 academic year.
The shortage of purpose-built managed student accommodation, coupled with challenges in the wider rental market, has led to what Savills describes as a housing crisis for students in Belfast. The proposed Grattan development at Great Victoria Street aims to address this shortfall by providing modern, purpose-built accommodation for students in the city.
Belfast City Council officers have echoed Savills’ concerns regarding the student-to-bed ratio in Belfast, emphasizing the need for additional accommodation to meet the growing demand. While there are existing and proposed developments in the pipeline, it remains uncertain whether these will be sufficient to address the current shortfall in student accommodation.
In light of these challenges, the Belfast City Council has approved several student accommodation projects in recent months, including a 201-bed purpose-built managed student accommodation scheme and retail unit on Dublin Road. The council has also granted planning permission for an 11-storey buy-to-rent apartment block targeted at young professionals in the same area.
The demand for student accommodation in Belfast is expected to continue to rise, driven by factors such as growth in international student numbers and students’ preference for living in private-sector halls. As the city’s higher education institutions attract more students, the need for additional accommodation options becomes increasingly urgent.
Moving forward, stakeholders will need to address the concerns raised by Belfast City Airport and other consultees to ensure that the proposed Grattan development meets regulatory requirements and addresses the city’s housing needs. With a focus on providing quality accommodation for students and supporting the local economy, the project represents an opportunity to enhance Belfast’s reputation as a vibrant and student-friendly city.
