Belfast pub and hotel could be demolished for student flats

The Botanic Inn and the Wellington Park Hotel in south Belfast could be demolished to make way for student flats.

The venue's owner, the Mooney Hotel Group, has teamed up with Graham, the Hillsborough-based construction firm, for a scheme which could deliver more than 500 student rooms.

The "Bot" would be rebuilt as part of the site's redevelopment but the exact details are not yet clear.

A pre-application planning notice has been submitted which sets out the broad concept for the scheme ahead of a full planning application.

It comes at a time when development of purpose-built student accommodation in Belfast has slowed.

Last month the Savills property consultancy said further development was currently unviable and "market sentiment is that this sector is fully satisfied".

However the Mooney-Graham partnership sees their scheme's proximity to the main Queen's University campus as a significant advantage.

John McDonald from Graham said: "This site is the perfect location for students of Queen's University. Our plans will provide game-changing campus living, allowing them to enjoy convenience, comfort and security that will enhance their overall student experience.

"This will be further strengthened through our proposed partnership with Homes for Students, the UK's largest independent student accommodation provider.

"The decision to enter the Northern Ireland market for the first time reflects their confidence in both the location and the quality of our proposals."

Felix Mooney, spokesman for the Mooney group said the nature of the hospitality trade in Belfast had changed, with a greater emphasis on visitors to the city centre.

He added: "The Wellington Park Hotel and the Botanic Inn are synonymous with Belfast hospitality.

"We are immensely proud of what the Wellington Park Hotel has achieved over the past 75 years and are deeply grateful to our employees, customers, partners, and the community for their unwavering support."

Student accommodation has been the hottest sector in Belfast property for much of the last decade.

More than 7,000 rooms have been built, mainly in developments close to the new Ulster University campus.

But there are signs of a pivot in the market.

A site with planning permission for student flats has recently been sold to a developer who instead intends to build conventional apartments.

However the Mooney-Graham partnership believe their scheme will work because of its location, five minutes walk from Queens University.