Belfast's Edwardian era suburbs are to be protected under planning regulations placing restrictions on the demolition of houses. The North's Minister for the Environment, Mr Sam Foster MLA, announced that five areas "of special architectural and historical character" had been given "conservation area" status. This status means that properties in the areas can no longer be demolished without the consent of his department.
The largest of the designated areas is the 1 1/2-mile stretch of the Malone Road in south Belfast, from Wellington Park to Balmoral Avenue. The other areas are Cyprus Avenue, Knockdene and Kings Road in east Belfast, and Somerton in the north of the city.
In recent years, the demolition of large houses in these suburbs to make way for apartments and townhouses has become increasingly common as developers seek to build in some of the city's most desirable areas. Mr Foster said he wanted to protect the Edwardian suburbs of Belfast. "I am concerned about the character of these areas and I recognise the concerns that local residents have expressed."
He said all the areas had the necessary character to justify conservation area status.
The new restrictions will be enforced, insisted Mr Foster. "If somebody illegally raises a building then we are prepared to bring them to court." However, the new regulations will not mean an end to apartment development.
"We need more homes and building new homes within the urban boundary is to be encouraged. But alongside this `brown field imperative' must sit an equally compelling planning objective of protecting Belfast's unique townscape from excesses that might destroy its character," the Minister said.
Mr Foster said conservation status would "strengthen the hand" of planners.
"It puts the onus on developers and their agents to deliver better design and higher quality. It means that development proposals in these areas can and will be more rigorously tested."