The DUP has voiced scepticism about the new Weaver’s Cross city neighbourhood development beside Sandy Row, saying plans for social housing offer “cold comfort” to locals.
DUP Councillor Gareth Spratt this week urged “caution” as Belfast City Council ’s Planning Committee unanimously approved outline permission for the major regeneration development on lands freed up by the future closure of the existing Europa Bus Station and Great Victoria Street train station.
The mixed-use development will be located to the east and west of Durham Street, south of Grosvenor Road, stretching as far as Sandy Row, and involves new office space, residential apartments and a hotel. It is also planned to provide new public realm space, active travel, hospitality and community uses.
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Around a fifth of this space has been proposed for housing, with a fifth of the residential space set aside for social/affordable housing. This means that half of this final allotted space will be “social”, the other half “affordable.”
The council has received 14 letters of support and 143 letters of objection, including an objection from the County Grand Orange Lodge of Belfast. The majority of the objections relate to the removal of the Boyne Bridge and introduction of new pedestrian crosses associated with the Belfast Grand Central Station plan, which has already been approved and construction well underway.
However, Councillor Spratt focused at this week’s special Planning Committee on the housing and community engagement implications of Weaver’s Cross. He said: “There is a real need for social housing in this area, and I would like clarity on what are the intentions for social housing, and what will be the volume.
“We don’t wish to stand in the way of development, development for the good. But we don’t want gentrification in the area - this is a long established community which contributes substantially to the cultural value of this city.
“The residents of Sandy Row certainly don’t feel engaged with to date. I note there has been a list of engagements, and I would like the planning agent to note too that has been throughout the period of Covid.
“I would encourage Translink and the hub to get on the ground and reach out to the community. We wish to see this development provide jobs for the area. I think it is important for this committee, as we look at this development, to understand the opportunity this will bring to the area.”
A representative supporting the application told the committee: “Translink will be committing the developer as their partner to a quantum of affordable housing.
"At the moment the outline application indicates that 21 percent of the overall site would be residential development of the area that is available for residential development - which excludes the city fringe area which equates to 26 percent of the overall site - and 20 percent of that will be affordable housing.”
She said Translink had appointed a community engagement officer since 2018 but said engagement on the ground was “obviously reduced through the Covid period.”
She added: “In relation to the ongoing works, with the enabling works contract and the main works contract, both of those have been reaching out to the local community in terms of ongoing consultations. We are conscious there can always be more consultation, and they are keen to work with local communities to improve engagement.”
Councillor Spratt said he would take any points made by the applicant on social and affordable housing “with a lot of caution at this stage.” He said: “At 20 percent of 26 percent of social/affordable housing, that puts it on my count around 5.2 percent.
“The provision of training and the provision of opportunity has to be embedded with the provision of good quality housing, which has good amenity space. The message the community very much wants to get out there is they are concerned that won’t be found amongst tower blocks of private, extremely expensive accommodation.
“There needs to be a good mix, there needs to be provision for all levels of society, and especially for young people starting out. I would like to see as we move forward into more detailed applications. I would like to see that reflected, but I have to say at this stage, on the point of housing, there is relatively cold comfort.”
A council statement said it is anticipated that the proposal will deliver a minimum of 400 new homes and at least 80 social and affordable housing units.
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