Loop Studios Development Proposal

Area Plan Context Within the Belfast Metropolitan Area Plan (BMAP) 2015, the site is within the settlement development limit of Belfast and forms part of Existing Employment Zoning Ref: MCH 09 as well as a small portion of unzoned lands (i.eWhite Land) – see Figure 4 . The Area Plan states that Existing Employment Lands comprise undeveloped or partially developed sites of the previous local development plan, developed zonings from previous area plans or other lands currently in employment use. Developed portions of zonings such as this are noted as having potential to accommodate new development and also offer opportunities of redevelopment for business use.

Figure 4 – BMAP 2015 Metropolitan Castlereagh Extract

Figure 5 – Former C&C Factory (Fire 2001)

Site History The subject site has a long-standing history of economic development uses. The site was formerly the premises of the C&C Factory which was originally approved under ref: Y/1986/0078, until a fire destroyed the majority of the site (see Figure 5 ). There was an extensive Planning History associated with the redevelopment of the site following the fire, which have been implemented and constructed on site, and Britvic were based at the premises prior to Loop Studios. The current owner LCC Group Ltd. considered construction of a new unattended Petrol Filling Station on the currently vacant lands adjacent to Castlereagh Business Park at Nos. 474-476 Castlereagh Road; this permission was withdrawn prior to determination.

Planning Reference Description of development

Y/2001/0663/F Replacement cladding to the roof and walls of fire damaged high bay warehouse to match existing and replacement cladding to front of picking warehouse to match existing. Y/2002/0060/F Replacement cladding to the roof and walls of fire damaged existing garage to match existing

Construction of a bonded warehouse and extension to existing high bay warehouse with associated sprinkler tank and pumphouse

Y/2003/0238/F

Z/2005/0676/F Erection of single storey extension to front of existing offices

Erection of single extension to front of existing office (amendment to previous approval ref: Z/2005/0676/F) New unattended 24 hour filling station, incorporating new canopy, 5 fuel dispensers, new underground fuel tanks, ancillary buildings, upgraded associated works and site boundaries, adjustment to traffic lights, and retrospective demolition of dilapidated two storey existing office building (amended site)

Z/2005/2377/F

Y/2015/0080/F