Belfast Council Approves Social Housing Development at Former UTV Headquarters

Belfast City Council has given its approval for a proposal to construct social housing at the location previously occupied by UTV’s main office. The television broadcaster operated from Havelock House, situated on the Ormeau Road, starting in 1959 and continuing until 2018, at which point it moved its operations to Belfast Harbour. Earlier this year, Havelock House underwent demolition after its acquisition by the housebuilding firm Lotus Property. Lotus Property is collaborating with Clanmil, a social housing provider, to construct over 100 social residences at the aforementioned location. The initiative was initially disclosed in November 2023, with Clanmil characterizing it as a “landmark project which responds directly to the housing need for Belfast now and in the future”. Additionally, the planning committee of the council granted approval for 62 social housing units designated for west Belfast. These units will form a component of a mixed-use redevelopment project on the former campus of Belfast Metropolitan College, located on the Whiterock Road. Furthermore, a separate substantial student accommodation project has received approval for Belfast city centre. The developer McAleer and Rushe has obtained authorization to dismantle Norwich Union House, a vacant office structure situated on Castle Street. This building will be replaced by student housing comprising 821 rooms, along with shared amenities such as a gymnasium and a cinema.