Office buildings to be converted into hotels and nursing homes

Belfast City Council has given planning permission for four separate office buildings to be converted into hotels and nursing homes.

It continues a trend for redundant office space in the city to be converted or demolished.

The distinctive Halifax office in the Gasworks development has received consent to be redeveloped into a 156-bedroom nursing home.

Halifax staff have already been relocated to new offices in the city centre.

The former headquarters of Stormont's Department for the Economy has received permission for conversion to residential and nursing care facilities.

The Netherleigh site in east Belfast was sold as part of a strategy to rationalise civil service office space.

The development will include the conversion of the listed building and 36 assisted living apartments over two new four-storey blocks.

Lindsay House in Callendar Street, which was formerly the offices of an accountancy firm, has been approved for change to a 76-bedroom hotel, with a ground floor bar and restaurant.

A smaller office and retail building in Rosemary Street received permission to make way for a 30-bedroom hotel with associated facilities and cafe..

Councillor Ryan Murphy, chair of Belfast City Council's Planning Committee, said: "We have had a range of applications through planning committee this month which will benefit our residents and visitors alike, through the provision of much needed accommodation in our city."