Plans for Northern Ireland's largest office building proposed

By Deborah McAleese, Press Association

A planning application has been submitted for the construction of Northern Ireland's largest office building.

At 255,000 square feet, One Bankmore Square will have enough space to accommodate up to 3,000 employees.

More than 570 jobs are set to be created in the construction of the 12-storey building, which will be situated in Belfast at the Movie House cinema site on the Dublin Road.

The total development cost is expected to be in the £65 million region, with a target completion date of 2020.

The development is spearheaded by property developers and financial investment firm the Richland Group. The Group already has an extensive property portfolio including The Gallery apartment complex, which is also on the Dublin Road, and several developments in London and Paris.

Following a period of public consultation and pre-planning discussion with planners, an application has now been submitted.

Planning consultant, Clyde Shanks, said the planning application was the "culmination of a highly collaborative and engaging pre-application discussion process with Belfast City Council planners, its consultees and members of the public".

He added: "The proposed design has responded to the helpful feedback received and been amended to specifically address the design concerns raised. We are confident this will enable the planning application to be determined promptly."

Gary McCausland, CEO of Richland Group described the project as a "quantum leap for Belfast's office market".

"It brings world-class Grade A office accommodation to the heart of the city centre in a single phase development. We have assembled a brilliant home-grown professional team to deliver this exciting project and we look forward to seeing it through to completion in 2020," he said.