Residential developer and manager Watkin Jones, in partnership with Lacuna Developments, has announced that Belfast City Council’s Planning Committee has approved its plans for the Titanic Quarter Student Village – a major purpose-built student accommodation (PBSA) scheme in Belfast’s Titanic Quarter.
Proposals submitted by the Watkin Jones and Lacuna Developments joint venture will help to meet the growing demand for high-quality PBSA at the heart of Belfast’s Innovation District.
Located on the Titanic Quarter estate, one of Europe’s largest waterfront regeneration projects and nearby Queens University’s Institute for Electronics, Communications and Information Technology, the proposals will regenerate a vacant former industrial site which offers good connectivity to the city centre and the two universities, alongside access to retail and leisure offerings located in the immediate vicinity.
The new Titanic Quarter Student Village aims to house 1,071 students within modern studio bedrooms and cluster flats split across two phases. It will also be car-free, with the development being set to deliver some of the highest sustainability standards in the city.
This includes achieving a BREEAM ‘Excellent’ rating, utilising rooftop solar panels, carbon-free heating using air source heat pumps and heat recovery units, and rainwater recovery systems.
The Titanic Quarter Student Village will also enhance sustainable travel between the site and universities through a green travel fund.
“We are pleased that Belfast City Council has approved the Titanic Quarter Student Village application.
“This scheme will help to address the growing need for PBSA accommodation in Belfast whilst supporting a sustainable and safe community for living, working and leisure. Residents will benefit from excellent transport links which will be further enhanced through the green travel fund, proximity to the city centre, and nearby developments including Titanic Belfast, Odyssey SSE Arena, and Titanic Film Studios.
“Our proposals include a landscaped courtyard garden and amenities including gyms, common rooms, and recreation facilities, complementing the restaurants, cafés, bars, and park at this waterfront location.
“The Student Village is the second proposed investment in Titanic Quarter by the joint venture, having forward sold the Loft Lines, a Build to Rent development, to Legal & General and Clanmil Housing last year. Through both projects we have collaborated closely with Titanic Quarter Limited and Belfast Harbour Commissioners, delivering part of its longer-term vision for Queen’s Island, regenerating a former industrial area into a sustainable place to live, study and play.”
George Dyer, Group Investment Director, Watkin Jones
The PBSA scheme will provide 24/7 management and a range of residential unit types to suit students at various stages of their academic life.
Amenities include a café, shared lounges, dining areas, games rooms, study spaces, launderettes and gyms. The level of amenity at Titanic Quarter Student Village exceeds any operational, in-construction, or proposed PBSA development in Belfast.
Designed by Belfast-based architects Todd architects, the new scheme was supported during the planning and engagement processes by independent planning and development consultancy, Turley.
In addition to managed student accommodation, Titanic Quarter aims to deliver new private, social, and affordable homes for over 8,000 new residents before 2035, alongside commercial, leisure and hospitality development.
“We believe that our Titanic Quarter Student Village offers students and academics from all institutions across the city a fresh choice for managed accommodation, in an exciting area of the city.
“We are responding to the very real demand from all our universities and higher education colleges for managed student accommodation. Belfast is a great city, with a growing knowledge economy that needs students and graduates living here to be successful.”
Anthony Best, Managing Director, Lacuna Developments
