Plans for a new teaching centre at Queen’s University have been recommended for approval in a Belfast City Council report.
A proposal for the development of a new purpose-built teaching facility and associated parking at land beside Riddel Hall, Stranmillis Road, has been put before the Director of Planning and Building Control this week. The report by council officers advises the development go ahead, subject to conditions.
Riddel Hall was established originally in 1913 as a university hall of residence for women by Eliza and Isabella Riddel. It is a Grade B1 Listed Building, part of Queen's University Belfast, and is located within the Stranmillis Conservation Area.
There were no objections raised by statutory consultees regarding the plan. Following an advertisement in the local press as well as neighbour notification, one letter of objection was received, stating concerns about massing, noise, pollution and loss of daylight.
The site is a large area on a lower level to the Riddell Hall campus, and currently has an undefined parking area and is overgrown with scrub and grass.
The proposed building will have four storeys, with basement parking, with two entrances, the main entrance from the proposed car park to the east, and a secondary one facing Riddell Hall to the north.
The proposed roof will have a flat green surface, and the building will have a central courtyard. A total of 42 cycle spaces will be provided, all within the basement, and 74 car parking spaces.
Tree planting is proposed to the north of the proposed building on the open grassed lawn, within the car park, and three trees within the internal courtyard. Approximately nine to 12 trees will be felled to make way for the plan.
