University of Ulster: New plans for Belfast student block

Plans have been submitted to build a nine-storey, 200-bedroom student accommodation block next to the University of Ulster's new Belfast campus.

The plan involves demolishing an existing building at the junction of York Street and Frederick Street.

The application has been submitted by Newtownards-based firm McNeill Properties.

The university is currently building a new £250m campus.

The planning applications state that the development will be laid out as en-suite study bedrooms with a communal kitchen serving clusters of five rooms.

It adds that the accommodation will be "fully managed" and will be promoted as "car free".

The proposal states that the overall height of the building will be "significantly lower" than the university campus building and other existing planning approvals in the area.

The accommodation block is next to the university's development that will see three new buildings built at Frederick Street/York Street, Donegall Street and Great Patrick Street.

When the new campus is in operation it will have about 11,290 full-time students and 1,280 staff.

The McNeill Properties scheme is the second private student housing plan proposed for the new campus.

Planning permission has already been granted to convert an office building close to the existing Art College into student accommodation.

Progressive Property Investments intends to create 45 en-suite single bedrooms at Mark Royal House on Donegall Street.

Several major development companies own land and buildings in the area and it is possible that more student accommodation will be proposed.