Council delegation opposes office development

An all-party delegation from Belfast City Council has today expressed their opposition to what has been described as as a totally unacceptable planning application for a major office development in the heart of a conservation area.

The delegation, which was led by Lord Mayor Pat McCarthy and Deputy Lord Mayor Ruth Patterson, has met with the Management Board of the DoE Planning Service, asking them to quash planning approval for a massive extension to offices at Rushmere House in Cadogan Park, in the Malone area of south Belfast.

The politicians were supporting the case presented by the Malone and Stranmillis Conservation Area Residents’ Association, and gave the Management Board a detailed impact assessment prepared on behalf of the residents by specialist conservation consultants.

Speaking in advance of the meeting, Lord Mayor Pat McCarthy said: “This is an area of outstanding historical interest, providing a unique environment created by the vision of the then, Belfast Corporation to bring a better quality of life for its citizens, and the Council is standing four-square behind the residents in claiming this heritage as their own, for now and for future generations.”

Deputy Lord Mayor Ruth Patterson, who also is Chairman of the Council’s Town Planning Committee, added: “It is completely unacceptable that the Planning Service has endeavoured to steamroller this application through, without the slightest regard to its own rules and procedures. If this development is allowed to go ahead it will set a dangerous precedent for commercial developments in conservation areas: it would tell commercial developers that they can do what they want, without regard to the environment around them – and that cannot be allowed to happen.”

Alan Oliver, speaking on behalf of the Malone and Stranmillis Conservation Area Residents’ Association, said: “The Department’s decision to grant permission for this development flies in the face of all rules, regulations and planning advice in relation to conservation areas. The Department’s own consultant even referred to this particular application as being ‘essentially intrusive and harmful to the character of the area’. We are delighted that all the parties on the Council have spoken with one voice and held a firm line in opposing this application.”

It is understood that, if the Management Board upholds the Planning Service’s decision to grant planning permission to Rushmere House, the Residents’ Association is considering seeking leave for a judicial review of the case.

(EF/SP)