Wellie Park's Planning Appeal Rejected

Plans to redevelop south Belfast's Wellington Park Hotel have been rejected.

The Mooney Group, which owns the hotel on the Malone Road, had proposed to demolish the existing building and build a larger hotel and an associated apartment block.

Initial plans announced in 2005 were rejected in 2008 and now the refusal has been backed by the Planning Appeals Commission (PAC).

According to the PAC the development would have resulted in overdevelopment of the site harming the character and appearance of the Malone Conservation Area through inappropriate scale, form, massing and design.

"It would harm the amenity of adjacent residents through overlooking and overshadowing," a statement said, noting that the setting of the listed buildings on Wellington Park would have been adversely affected.

The scheme received over 155 objections, however it has received backing from Belfast city councillors.

(GK/BMcC)