News
Galgorm’s plans for new £8m hotel and restaurant are formally approved
Galgorm Collection’s new boutique hotel, restaurant and bar on Ormeau Road Belfast get green light from Belfast City Council
On behalf of Galgorm Collection, Turley has helped secure approval from Belfast City Council for plans to develop a new £8 million hotel, bar and restaurant in Belfast.
The proposal, which will create around 100 new jobs, had previously been recommended for approval.
We provided expert planning and strategic communications services for the project, working as part of the project team with Knox & Clayton Architects who were appointed to design the new 18-bed Boutique Hotel and Restaurant on the former Holy Rosary Church site on the Ormeau Road.
Part of a significant new investment by the owners of the award-winning Galgorm Spa & Golf Resort, the plans for Belfast’s newest hospitality venue will regenerate the former derelict Holy Rosary Church and an adjacent Parochial House building at 348-350 Ormeau Road.
Speaking about the result, John Davison, Director, Strategic Communications commented:
“This result represents a great outcome for all those involved on the project team as well as for Belfast. We appreciate the effort and consideration that Belfast City Council’s planning team and planning committee put in to considering and ultimately approving this application. This reflects that the council can make the important decisions that will facilitate Belfast’s economic development, and simultaneously preserve the city’s built heritage”.
“Our team at Turley is very pleased with the outcome of this application. We were able to engage with local elected representatives as well as listen to the local community in order to enhance the final proposal.”
Sara Tinsley, Associate Director, Planning said:
“Turley has promoted the vision for the site from the outset, engaging with the council through pre application discussions. We have guided the scheme proposals to respond to a technically challenging site and are delighted with the decision of the council to approve the proposals and secure the future of the listed buildings.”
Galgorm Collection Managing Director, Colin Johnston, said:
“We’ve extensively engaged with councillors, partners, residents and stakeholders to ensure that one of Belfast’s finest, historic buildings can be carefully restored to create an outstanding new and unique hotel and dining experience for the city and for Northern Ireland. We are delighted that our approved plans will further enhance Belfast’s growing high quality hospitality offer in line with our own aspirations and that of the city, while adding to the vibrancy of community life on Ormeau Road.”
The site is currently being carefully restored and preserved in advance of its opening in Spring 2020 to accommodate 18 bedrooms, a stunning new bar and signature restaurant which forms part of the group’s newly-named ‘Galgorm Collection’ of hotels, restaurants and bars.
The 19th century grade B1 listed building has lain derelict for almost 40 years since its closure in 1980. Now, in its newest reincarnation, the ground floor will encompass a new kitchen & bar which has been styled on a similar group-owned venture launched at Galgorm Castle Golf Club earlier this year and which will provide a 150-seat BBQ smokehouse restaurant with wood-burning firepit as part of a new dining experience.
Additional off-street parking of up to 20 spaces has also been secured as part of the application following representations made by local residents during the consultation phase, the company confirmed, while an agreed travel and management plan will also now be adopted to underpin the development’s success.
17 April 2019