Skip to content
PlanIndex Get alerts
Menu

Planning application

NEW FOOT BRIDGE BETWEEN THE GAS WORKS AND ORMEAU EMBANKMENT Ormeau Embankment, Belfast, BT6 8LT

Granted Belfast LA04/2023/2835/NMC Non Material Change

Works: Extension

Permission granted. Work must normally begin within three years of the decision or the permission lapses.

Proposal

This is an application for approval of a non-material change to LA04/2015/0405/F, which was Determined on 25 May 2015. The original application Decision Notice relates to the construction or a pedestrian and cycle bridge (5.0m between parapets) with combined foot and cycle ramps from close to a railway underpass on west bank to the quay on east bank; pedestrian and cycle links to existing routes, car park, storm drainage, lighting and landscaping, located at Lower Ormeau Embankment and River Terrace. At the time of the original planning application (2015), DfI Rivers advised the bridge design needed to be developed to cope with a design flood level of 3.77m AOD. The minimum bridge deck soffit level was therefore designed to 3.8m AOD, to account for this. Following further consultations in late 2022, DfI Rivers advised the minimum soffit level previously advised, represents the predicted 1-in-200 year sea level at this location. However, this does not take account of climate change or wave action. They further advised that in order to take full account of these additional factors, it will be necessary to raise the minimum bridge soffit level by around 400mm, to 4.20M AOD. This level also allows the bridge infrastructure to tie in with the design levels being used for the Belfast Tidal Project. This project is constructing new flood protection walls along the River Lagan which can ultimately be raised to 4.2M AOD and the project is currently onsite. The change in minimum, bridge soffit level from 3.8M to 4.2M AOD, will have the following impacts on the bridge design, which are considered by the applicant to be non-material changes: 1. The bridge deck and both the cable-stay towers will each be raised by 400mm. This will ensure the pleasing aesthetic shape of the bridge structure and the maximum longitudinal gradients for non-mobile users, are maintained. Raising the minimum soffit level of the bridge deck by 400mm will also have a positive impact for those using the river. The towers are 25M high at present and so it is considered raising them by 400mm is a non-material change, that will not adversely affect users of the footbridge, the river or any other stakeholder. 2. The approach ramp to the footbridge on the north side of west bank, will need to be extended by 8M to accommodate the maximum longitudinal gradient for cyclists identified in current cycling design guidance. Whilst this very small area is outside the footprint of the original application, the extension to the ramp is so small the applicant considers it to be a non-material change that will not adversely affect users of the footbridge, the river or any other stakeholder.

As published by the council, reference LA04/2023/2835/NMC

Application record

Reference
LA04/2023/2835/NMC
Type
Non Material Change
Status
Determined
Decision
Granted
Received
8 Mar 2023
Validated
8 Mar 2023
Decided
19 May 2023
Ward
Central
Postcode
BT6 8LT

Timeline

Dates from the published record

  1. 8 Mar 2023

    Received by Belfast

  2. 19 May 2023

    Decision issued: Granted

  3. 19 Sep 2026

    Added to PlanIndex

Documents

Plans, drawings, consultee responses and the officer's report

7 documents on file for this application

A planning file usually holds the application form, drawings and site plans, consultee responses, the officer's report and the decision notice.

Watch members (£5 a month) open the document list from here.

Open the documents

What this grant of permission means

Belfast granted permission on 19 May 2023, subject to any conditions on the decision notice. Work must normally begin within three years or the permission lapses. More in our guide to what happens after a planning decision.

About amendment applications

An amendment application makes limited changes to a permission that already exists; anything beyond modest adjustment needs a fresh application. More in our guide to planning application types.

Nearby applications

Within 0.3 miles

In Belfast

  • LA04/2026/1639/NMC Awaiting decision

    335 Newtownards Road, Belfast, BT4 1AG

    Amendments to application LA04/2025/0706/F- Dormer Alterations.

    Received 15 Sep, published by the council 19 Sep 2026 Amendments
  • LA04/2026/0972/NMC Granted

    39 Newforge Lane, Belfast, BT9 5NW

    Minor amendments to sizes and positions of some windows and patio doors. Updated positions of rainwater pipes, soil pipes and movement joints. NMC -LA04/2024/1342/F

    Received 26 May, published by the council 13 Aug 2026 Amendments
  • LA04/2026/1347/NMC Granted

    106 Sydenham Avenue, Belfast, BT4 2DT

    Fenestration changes to Ground floor Rear Elevation to include: - Omission of 1 no. small window to open plan kitchen/ dining/ living area - Relocation and reduction in size of 1 no. window to open plan kitchen/ dining/ living area NMC - LA04/2025/1080/F

    Received 30 Jul, published by the council 6 Aug 2026 Amendments
  • LA04/2026/1100/NMC Granted

    City Quays 3 Clarendon Road, Belfast, BT1 3BG

    Non-material change to reserved matters approval LA04/2017/1090/RM, comprising the installation of 4 no. external louvres to the north-east elevation at floor 9.

    Received 10 Jun, published by the council 22 Jul 2026 Amendments
  • LA04/2026/1588/NMC Awaiting decision

    43 Houston Park, Belfast, BT5 6AT

    Enlargement and alterations to rear dormer previously approved under LA04/2025/1830/F.

    Received 9 Sep, published by the council 19 Sep 2026 Amendments