Permission has been granted for the construction of student accommodation blocks with 821 rooms in the Castle Street/Queen Street area of Belfast City Centre. The project, approved by the Belfast City Council Planning Committee, involves the demolition of existing buildings to make way for purpose-built managed student accommodation complete with communal facilities such as a gym, cinema, meeting/study rooms, and laundry rooms. The blocks, ranging from six to nine storeys, will also include ground floor retail/retail service units and additional short-term use outside of term time. The applicant, MRP NUH Ltd, aims to have the building operational for the 2027/28 academic year.
Details of the Site
The proposed site, roughly 0.6 hectares in size, currently houses various buildings, including Norwich Union House on Castle Street and Fountain Street, Westgate House on the junction of Castle Street and Queen Street, and several smaller buildings. The plan received minimal objections, with only NI Water raising concerns. Despite this, the council received three letters of support from third parties and no letters of objection before the planning committee hearing. However, on the day of the meeting, the owner of Voodoo expressed concerns about the impact of the venue on prospective residents’ amenity.
Council’s Recommendation
Council planning officers recommended the plan for approval, highlighting the site’s sustainability, proximity to transport links, and evidence of the proposal’s necessity. The proposed building, following negotiations and design amendments, is deemed to be of high quality and appropriate for its context within the city center conservation area. The plan is expected to revitalize the surrounding area by developing an existing vacant building and large gap site along Queen Street.
Other Approved Accommodation Blocks
This approval adds to Belfast’s recent developments in student accommodation, including the ‘Titanic Quarter Student Village’, a purpose-built managed student accommodation scheme, and plans for additional student blocks in the Dublin Road area. Despite these advances, student accommodation in Belfast still only accommodates a quarter of the student population. To address this, nearly 5,700 new beds will be needed to achieve a more balanced student-to-bed ratio.
The growing demand for student accommodation in Belfast reflects the city’s vibrant academic environment and the need for modern, convenient living spaces for its students. As the city continues to evolve, providing adequate housing for its student population remains a key priority to support academic success and student well-being.
