Development Proposal:
The development by Barnabas Ventures proposed to redevelop the existing May Street Church within a glass structure. This would encase the old Church building and provide a 20 storey office tower above with 76 apartments. Within the restored Church building there would be a retained church, exhibition facilities, café, restaurant and retail facilities. The scheme would also provide 80 basement parking spaces.

Planning History:
An initial application was submitted for the scheme in October 2006 and amended in 2008 to increase the number of apartments from 54 to 76 and the number of basement parking spaces from 54 to 80. In March 2009 it was recommended by the Planning Service that the development be refused permission. The planning application was then withdrawn by the developer in May 2009.

Planning Service Reasons for Recommending Refusal:
The Planning service concluded in early 2009 that the proposal was contrary to Policy BH8, 10 & 11 of the Department’s Planning Policy Statement 6 and Policies UE1 & UE2 of the Belfast Metropolitan Area Plan 2015 (Draft Plan).

Development Composition:
·   The Tower - Offices (20 storeys)
·   Exhibition facilities
·   Café and restaurant facilities
·   Retail and Church space
·   76 Apartments at upper levels
·   80 Basement parking spaces  

Cost Management: Bruce Shaw