The King Street homeless centre has been operating without planning permission for over a year
Police have said there has been no extra antisocial behaviour or crime recorded around a controversial homeless centre that has been operating in Belfast city centre without planning permission for over a year.
This week a planning application will return to the Belfast City Council Planning Committee, that is, a retrospective change of use from a ground floor taxi passenger terminal, cafe, office and newsagent to a Homeless Centre, at 35a King Street, Belfast, BT1. It has been over a year since the application first appeared at City Hall, but it has seen various delays and deferrals.
The new homeless centre at King Street has been used as a service for vulnerable people since May 2025, without planning permission, and there have been large numbers of representations sent to Belfast City Council objecting to the application, as well as in support.
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The applicant is Belfast Homeless Services, who were previously based at Amelia Street. They explain in the application that this building was deemed no longer safe due to its structural condition.
The last appearance at the Planning Committee was in February. At that meeting, Sinn Féin Councillor Natasha Brennan asked for the application to be deferred “on the grounds there is an outstanding environmental health report” and to “show due diligence given the massive amount of responses.”
The application states the centre will provide meals, washing and changing facilities and an internal social amenity area for users, on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday each week from 4pm to 10pm.
67 objections have been sent to the council raising concerns about anti-social behaviour, the impact on residential amenity, and community cohesion. Objectors have said it has a negative impact on the health and wellbeing of locals, and is “detrimental to placemaking.”
The council has also received 149 letters of support in relation to the application. Supporters say the scheme will help combat the homelessness problem within Belfast, and that the centre was successful in other locations. They add that the anti-social behaviour policies are adequate, with a “zero tolerance drug and alcohol policy,” and say with an accessible city centre location the centre “provides a local need.”
The application will appear again at the Planning Committee meeting on Tuesday evening (June 16). It appears with further information submitted to the council, including advice from PSNI in relation to crime and anti-social behaviour issues. and further consultation from the council’s Environmental Health team.
The report states: “The PSNI advises that when comparing crime and antisocial behaviour reported and recorded on King Street and Castle Street between 1/1/25 to 3/6/25 and 1/1/26 to 3/6/26, there has been no increase in reported crime or ASB.
“The PSNI had previously advised that there had similarly been no reported increase in crime or ASB during the period 1/5/25, when it is understood the use commenced, to 1/3/26.”
It adds: “However, the PSNI states that this does not mean either crime or ASB has not increased. Relevant stakeholders may say different and many businesses in meetings PSNI has attended throughout the city centre advise they do not have time to report.”
The additional information also includes recommended conditions in respect of odour abatement, hours of operation and noise.
The report states: “Environmental Health recommended a condition that seeks a schematic drawing detailing the exact specifications of the proposed odour control components, location and duct runs to achieve a “very high level” of odour control as per best practice guidance.
“In response, the applicant has accepted a “no-cooking” condition that would dispense with the need for enhanced odour abatement. Environmental Health has confirmed that it is content with this approach.”
Council officers are recommending approval for the retrospective application.
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