Image supplied by Chapman Taylor

The Royal Exchange scheme, in Belfast’s North East Quarter, represents the next phase of a programme of regeneration promoted by the Department of Social Development, which has selected Leaside Investments Limited as the preferred developer of this project. This is a retail led mixed use development, which seeks to rejuvenate and raise the international profile of the historic NEQ and retail core of Belfast City Centre, creating a sustainable and vibrant environment. 

The proposal provides for a gross floor area of 128,670 sq m (1,384,489 sq ft) and consists of 11 street blocks, which will include retail, offices, restaurants, hotel and cultural uses. 

Services Provided

• DPP has been directly involved in the process leading to the selection of Leaside Investments Limited as the preferred developer, providing a range of services including advice on planning strategy, compliance with emerging policies and on a range of technical issues including assessing retail needs;
• We have promoted the site through the emerging Belfast Metropolitan Area Plan;
• We have provided advice on the compulsory purchase process involving development scheme and vesting order procedures;
• We advised on the application strategy;
• We undertook pre-application consultations with the planning service and other key stakeholders on the client’s behalf (PADs Process);
• We prepared and submitted the main Article 31 planning application and listed building applications along with supporting technical information;
• We prepared and submitted the EIA for this application;
• We continue to manage the application and are currently engaged on the EIA addendum.
  
  

Achievements
Assisting our developer clients in satisfying planning requirements to help secure preferred developer status from a government department. We have promoted the scheme through the PADs process and have prepared and submitted the Royal Exchange Regeneration application and EIA to the planning service within the agreed timeframe between our clients and DSD and continue to manage one of the largest applications ever submitted in Northern Ireland.