Macrow Properties propose to demolish the existing 1980's three and a half storey red brick office building at the corner of Chichester Street and Victoria Street and replace with an eight storey building. The proposal, designed by Todd Architects, provides ground floor retail, six upper office floors and an eighth level penthouse office unit. 

Following consultation during the planning process NIEA:HBU commented that the proposal is "contrary to Policy BM11 of the Department's Planning Policy Statement 6: Planning, Archaeology and the Built Heritage in that the development would, if permitted,adversely affect the setting of the Former Town Hall, The Royal Courts of Justice and the Former Northern Bank building by reason of:-  its detailed design which Is out of keeping with the listed buildings in terms of scale, form, height and alignment." The HBU response continues: "recent new developmente such as the Bar Library along Chicheater Street and the Law Society House along Victoria Street, reinforce the existing building cornice line established at four stories" (18 May 2011)

The Conservation Officer commented that: "the proposal does not fall within a Conservation Area but does fall within the proposed Victoria Street / Oxford Street Area of Townscape Character in the draft Belfast Metropolitan Area Plan 2015." As such, an acceptable replacement scheme in the view of the Officer "should comply with the following parameters - It should be no higher than the adjacent Law Society building (including plant - which should be Internal to the roof zone);- comprise a visually discernable form of base, middle and attic;- there should be one set back attic floor faced in a contextually appropriate, roofscape material" (8 July 2011)

A Built Heritage Report prepared by Dawson Stelfox of Consarc Conservation on behalf of the Law Society of Northern Ireland concluded that "although replacement of the current building is acceptable in principle, any building on the siteshould be no higher than 4 stories, reaching up to the 'shoulder' height of Law Society House, as a maximum." (2 November 2011)

Planning Consultant: FM Planning
Consulting Engineer: RPS Consulting

www.toddarch.co.uk
www.fmplanning.co.uk
www.rpsgroup.com