Plans have been submitted to develop a new rooftop running track at the former Belfast Telegraph building.

'The Sixth', which is part of a £75 million regeneration project, will be the first facility of its kind to be created in Belfast.

Under the proposals, the Grade B2 Listed 1886 ‘Seaver building' will be restored and refurbished, while the rest of the site will be redeveloped into a contemporary, mixed-use new build scheme totalling 230,000 sq ft of workspace across seven floors. Other features will include a public atrium and walkway on the ground floor, alongside retail and food and beverage uses.

Deputy Chair of Belfast City Council's City Growth and Regeneration Committee, Cllr Aileen Graham, said the local authority is committed to growing Belfast's economy and positioning the city to compete internationally.

"Quality, innovative workspace like The Sixth will attract the high-value jobs necessary to grow our economy and help our people reach their full potential," she said.

"Not only will The Sixth boost the city centre's vibrancy as part of an emerging creative district, it's going to breathe new life into one of Belfast's most loved and iconic buildings."

Stephen Surphlis, speaking on behalf of Bel Tel LLP, said: "Our plans for The Sixth emphasise quality, heritage-led design that makes a contribution to both user wellbeing, and the fabric of our city.

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"We've engaged world-class architects, Allford Hall Monaghan Morris (AHMM), winner of the 2015 RIBA Stirling Prize and most recently voted Architectural Practice of the Year 2018 by Architects Journal to deliver a unique building that will have a transformative effect on Belfast, by attracting end occupiers who will deliver up to 2,000 high-value jobs."

Paul Monaghan founding director of AHMM, added: "The Sixth is a bold project, focused on the experience of its users and mindful of the site's landmark status and importance as part of Belfast's built heritage. We have taken cues from the surrounding buildings and the city's lost Victorian arcades, and will restore features removed or lost from the original listed building. For example, we're planning to reinstate the building's main access onto Royal Avenue and re-introduce dormer windows removed from the original roofline.

"New features such as the roof top running track, roof top terraces and break out spaces compliment the building's focus on the user. A new public atrium space serves as walkway through the building, which alongside a range of ground floor retail and food and beverage offers will enliven the street level space around Royal Avenue and Donegall Street. The Sixth will contribute to the rapid regeneration of the area and with its close proximity to Ulster University; it will be at the centre of an emerging creative district serving the education, culture, media and technology sectors.

"The Sixth's design development has been informed by productive discussion and constructive feedback from Belfast City Council Planning Service, Historic Environment Division and other statutory consultees over the past 12 months.

"We have also been heartened to receive very positive feedback from the public, local business and residents during the pre-application community consultation, and this is reflected in the detail of the application we've submitted."

Planning and development consultancy Turley submitted the full planning application and associated listed building consent on behalf of Bel Tel LLP to Belfast City Council.

Subject to planning approval, work is expected to begin later this year.

(LM)