A new community wellbeing centre has been approved beside the Lagan walkway at Lower Ormeau, South Belfast.
Elected members at the Belfast City Council Planning Committee this week approved the construction of a new community wellbeing centre and cafe at the Lockhouse, 13 River Terrace Belfast BT7. The plan involves the refurbishment and change of use of the existing house, with a new adjacent community garden and men's shed facility.
Council officers recommended approval of the plan to elected representatives, with conditions. The applicant is the Lower Ormeau Residents Action Group, of Balfour Avenue.
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The council planning report states: “The site is within the development limit of Belfast and the principle of development is considered acceptable. The design of the proposed extension and the proposed use to the existing building is acceptable.
“The changes to the existing open space are considered a betterment creating features of interest and additional seating. The man-shed and poly-tunnels will offer space and activities for the local community.
“The Historic Environment Division (at Stormont ) offers no objection that there would be no harmful impact on the setting of the listed monument. The parking survey shows sufficient parking to serve the development and there will be no adverse transportation impacts.”
The Lockhouse is beside Shaftesbury Recreation Centre, a large leisure complex with outdoor play facilities, St. John Youth Centre and St. Malachy’s Nursery School, both single storey buildings.
The planning report adds: “Within the wider context the proposal can be seen as book ending the community developments along this section of road with Shaftesbury Recreation Centre to one end and the proposal at the other and the single storey building between.”
It states: “Officers are content that the proposal will not significantly detract from the surrounding character having regards to the community buildings already located along this section of road frontage and the materials offering an acceptable contrast.
“The current open space provides access to the Lagan walkway; the proposal is designed to retain this public access to pathways. Officers are content that the proposal will not impinge on the current level of public access ensuring the open character is maintained."
NI Water objected to the application on grounds of lack of waste-water capacity. The Stormont Department of Agriculture Environment and Rural Affairs and Supported Employment Solutions were consulted about this and a condition was recommended to restrict development until a suitable wastewater disposal system can be agreed.
There were no representations to the council from local residents and businesses regarding the application. One letter of support was received from a local public representative.
The site is adjacent to McConnell's lock, a listed monument. Stormont’s Historic Environment Division was consulted and indicated that the proposed balcony, which projected beyond the front façade of the building, within the original design, had an impact on the monument. Amended plans were submitted with the balcony projection removed which was found to be acceptable.
The plan will result in the loss of an area of open space due to the erection of the “man shed” and poly tunnels. However the council planning team sees this outweighed by the “community benefit.”
The report states: “The existing open space is an area of open grassland with connecting pathways crossing it. The proposal will see the additional planting, raised beds and seating within the current open space creating a place of interest and usable for the general community. This area remains open to the public with only the area for the man-shed and polytunnels fenced.
“Officers accept that the section of land dedicated to the man-shed and polytunnels will be lost to the public for recreational use. It will nevertheless create facilities for community use and creates an opportunity for greater community cohesion by providing space for various community activities.”
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