Plans approved for second phase of Kings Hall Health and Wellbeing Park

Development of the Kings Hall Health and Wellbeing Park will continue apace after Belfast City Council approved plans for the final part of the scheme.

The latest plans include outline consent for additional age exclusive living, medical and life sciences accommodation, a multi-storey car park, creation of a central plaza and further landscaping works.

The news comes as construction nears completion of Dataworks, a precision medicine hub which was part of the first phase development and which has already confirmed London-listed diagnostics firm Diaceutics as its first tenant. It is expected to be joined by other indigenous and global medical technology companies in the near future in a development which will provide a secure and collaborative space for companies to focus on the rapidly growing and highly valuable healthcare data market.

The first phase of the Kings Hall Health and Wellbeing Park was granted planning permission in 2018 and also includes works to the King’s Hall. Other consents have been granted for the construction of a residential care home and 16 age exclusive apartments at the rear of the iconic King's Hall building with access from Balmoral Avenue.

Also located on the site is Malone Kindergarten, an early years centre which recently relocated its Scandinavian-style purpose-built building. It intends to establish close links with the new facilities for older people on the site to take advantage of the mutual psychological benefits and learning experiences for young and old alike.

David Burrows, Director of Benmore Octopus, said: “We are delighted that phase two planning for the Kings Hall Health and Wellbeing Park has been approved by Belfast City Council. The move brings us a step close to fulfilling our vision for healthcare and age exclusive living at the iconic site, one which can benefit everyone in Belfast and Northern Ireland.

“This development comes as a spotlight is being shone on the world’s healthcare providers as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic. It is fitting that we are in the process of creating a park which offers the best possible facilities for those at either end of the age spectrum, which will provide the best possible accommodation for our valued healthcare providers and the best possible working environment for our life sciences companies.”

Benmore Octopus is a joint venture between local developers Benmore Group and Octopus Real Estate.