Plan for 40 east Belfast apartments is aimed at retirees and downsizers

Forty new apartments aimed at the “retired and downsizing market” could be built in east Belfast after a planning application was submitted to Belfast City Council.The apartments, which have been earmarked for Clonaver Drive, would be across four buildings, with seven in the first two-storey block and 11 in each of the remaining three-storey blocks.Existing buildings at the location, which are described in the application as “40 vacant residential units within three 1960s flat roof blocks”, are currently boarded up and would be demolished.Endeavour Investments, which has an address in Gilford, Co Armagh, is behind the application.A planning statement from Turley noted that the site in its current form “offers little architectural or visual interest within the surrounding area, whereas the proposed development seeks to provide a visually attractive and suitable residential scheme within the local setting”.It goes on to say that the proposed buildings have also been designed to provide a “well-defined and coherent response to Clonaver Drive”.Parking has also been included in the planning application as it is “proposed to integrate in a compact and sympathetic manner”.There would be one parking space per apartment as the development is aimed at the retired and downsizing market, so it is assumed there will be “single car ownership per apartment and greater reliance on walking to local amenities and use of public transport”.It adds that “sufficient bicycle parking is provided to each apartment block, discreetly situated between the buildings to reduce the risk of theft and vandalism”.The plans also propose a “significant element of open space” including to the rear of the site, which is well screened by mature trees.The plans could go before planners at Belfast City Council early next year.