A plan for a luxury hotel at the site of an old listed police station in has received a second chance after being stopped at the High Court over concerns about architectural heritage. Developers hoping to build a 74 bedroom luxury hotel at Queen Street were disappointed after a decision to approve their planning application was quashed by the High Court over architectural heritage objections. But Big Top Productions, of Belfast, will get a second bite of the cherry after councillors at City Hall again this week approved their amended plan for a change of use of the former police station to a 74 bedroom hotel with associated restaurant, bar and ancillary facilities, at 21 Queen Street.
The proposal involves the retention and restoration of the listed building at the front of the site, and demolition of the listed link structure and three storey building at the rear onto College Court. There will be part demolition to internal features, refurbishment, and a nine storey extension to the rear of the listed building. 21 to 27 Queen Street is a grade B1 listed building.
It was constructed between 1860 and 1879. The building was previously used as a police station and prior to that a hospital. It has been vacant since 2000, and is on the 'buildings at risk' register.
The applicant acquired the property in 2018. In February this year elected members agreed to the earlier application at the Belfast Council Planning Committee - votes from Sinn Féin the and SDLP pushed the application.
