Plans for a medical facility as part of the King’s Hall site mixed-use regeneration in Belfast are set to move forward after being recommended for approval.

The Benmore Octopus Healthcare Developments (HK) Ltd, represented by Turley, seeks permission for plot 9 within the scheme which is currently vacant land to the rear of the listed King’s Hall.

 It’s two-storey extension which has now been constructed and is operational.

Buildings that previously occupied the site have been demolished to facilitate the ongoing redevelopment of the site for uses including medical/health, residential and nursery uses.

Planning permission was granted in December 2021 for a mixed-use regeneration of lands at the King’s Hall which among a wide range of developments includes medical or health services at Plot 9.

The application covers the building’s siting, design: including height, scale, massing, the form of buildings and floor plans; its external appearance; means of access; and landscaping.

In plans to be scrutinised by Belfast’s planning committee this week, the proposed layout and footprint of the building is said to be consistent with that shown in the masterplan and approved Design Code.

The building is arranged in a series of three linked blocks ranging from two storeys to three storeys and then to four storeys.

The four-storey block will be situated immediately to the rear of the listed King’s Hall and has been designed to step back from the listed building and provide space to enable its appreciation.

An area of public realm/open space will be formed between the rear of the King’s Hall and the proposed building which will connect with the public realm across the site including the larger central plaza throughout the site providing permeability and ease of movement along with an appropriate treatment to the setting of the buildings.

A planning officer’s report says that the proposed building would be in keeping with the character and appearance of the area. The setting of the listed King’s Hall would be safeguarded.

The height, scale and massing of the building is considered compliant with the outline approval.

The proposal has been considered acceptable despite some raising concern about the possibility of extra traffic on King’s Hall Lane which leads onto Balmoral Avenue.