Belfast·LDP Plan Strategy 2035 (adopted 2023)·Page 82·7.1.43
Belfast Housing Market Analysis and Guidance on Housing Types and Sizes
Belfast's housing analysis shows an ageing population and declining household sizes, indicating future need for smaller household accommodation including apartments and terraced houses. Over the plan period, approximately 30% of need is for flats/apartments and 70% for houses, with 40% requiring 1-2 bedroom properties.
As a general guide to the appropriate need, analysis of the local housing market in Belfast shows an ageing population, reducing household size and a decline in the number of households with children. This emphasises the need for future accommodation to comprise accommodation "suitable for smaller household types" with "apartments and terrace house types" expected to remain the most popular. Independent research commissioned by the council to inform the LDP expands upon this, suggesting that over the plan period Belfast requires: Type – 30% will require flats/apartments (including maisonettes), with the remaining 70% preferring houses (to include terraced, semi-detached and/or detached housing as appropriate); and Size – 40% would require properties with 1 or 2 bedrooms, and the residual requiring at least 3 bedrooms.
Source — /Users/richardhill/Documents/planning-arch-project/data/documents/belfast/LDP Plan Strategy 2035 (adopted 2023).pdf