Go-ahead for new Belfast apartment block

The proposed development of a 16-storey residential building which provides more than 100 new apartments in Belfast has been given the go-ahead.Lacuna Developments has secured the approval from Belfast City Council for 105 residential units on Academy Street and Exchange Street. The scheme comprises of 60, one-bed apartments and 45, two-bed apartments.The scheme also includes a management suite, cafe, servicing area, roof terrace, plant room and substation.The application site was recently partly occupied by a three-storey derelict building. Demolition of the building has already taken place and the site is now vacant.Lacuna has proposed to provide a travel card for each apartment for a period of 5 years, providing free travel to residents and encourage a shift to public transport, with the scheme also including a bike store with 36 spaces.A report that was scrutinised by planners on 10 March 2020 recommended that the plans be approved.