Strategic Approach and Precedent Policy for Tall Buildings

Largely due to the lack of specific policy to date, proposals for tall buildings within Belfast have tended to occur sporadically, with little in the way of a strategic approach applied across the city. While a number of these buildings have contributed positively to the growth of the city, conversely it can also be argued that some, often historic cases, have not been so successful and would be regarded as anomalies when considered in context. To this end, existing tall buildings within the city will not necessarily set a policy precedent for similar development on adjacent sites. Planning permission will be granted for tall buildings, defined as any building 35m above ordnance datum (AOD) or taller or those which are significantly higher than their surroundings, where they: (a) Are a height and scale that is sensitive to the context of their surroundings and are proportionate to their location. Existing tall buildings within Belfast will not set a policy precedent for similar development on adjacent sites. In all cases applications for tall buildings will be expected to adhere to supplementary planning guidance.