38 Boucher Road is a prominent retail warehouse, currently divided into 5 retail units. Originally constructed in the 1980s, it underwent significant expansion and re-cladding in 1998 to accommodate B&Q, a major high-street DIY retailer. This transformation included a single-storey garden centre with an open covered structure at the northern end of the site. B&Q initially operated on the site from the early 1990s with warehouse/ depot use. Later, B&Q operated a retail superstore from 1999 until 2016 when they opted to terminate their lease due to company restructuring. Ownership then transferred to Norlin Ventures around 2016.

Early Planning History and B&Q

38 Boucher Road has had an extensive planning history with a number of planning application submitted over the years such as:

• Z/1989/0392 - Submitted in May 1989 proposing change of use from builders suppliers to retail warehouse. This application was refused in June 1989.

• Z/1990/0108 - Submitted in February 1990 proposing sub-division of existing buildings to form warehouse units. This application was approved in December 1990.

• Z/1990/0259 - Submitted in March 1990 proposing construction of new flower distribution warehouse. This application was approved in June 1990.

• Z/1991/0324 - Submitted in April 1991 proposing change of use from building trade supplies to building supplies, DIY store and garden centre for sale of goods to public and trade. This application was refused in December 1991.

• Z/1991/0925 - Submitted in November 1991 proposing change of use from warehouse to printworks with production offices. This application was approved in January 1992.

• Z/1993/0007 - Submitted in January 1993 by B&Q proposing construction of open-sided canopy in external garden centre of retail unit. This application was approved in February 1993.

• Z/1994/0132 - Submitted in February 1994 by B&Q proposing change of use from warehousing to retail. This application was approved in August 1994.

• Z/1995/0704 - Submitted in July 1995 by B&Q proposing extension and alterations to premises. This application was approved in September 1995.

• Z/1997/0782 - Submitted in August 1997 by B&Q proposing change of use of 2 wholesale/distribution warehouse buildings to retail warehouse
  use. This application was approved in April 1998.

• Z/1998/0671 - Submitted in August 1998 by B&Q proposing alterations and extension to existing retail warehouse buildings and associated car parking and the Construction of new access to public road. This application was approved in April 1999.

• Z/2000/0091/F - Submitted in January 2000 by B&Q proposing construction of additional access to Balmoral Road for existing retail warehouse. This application was approved in June 2000.

• Z/2000/0092/F - Submitted in January 200 by B&Q proposing minor alteration to existing cladding, new roller shutter door opening, closure of existing openings and new canopy at eastern end of existing retail warehousing. This application was approved in March 2000.

• Z/2007/2043/F - Submitted in August 2007 by B&Q proposing subdivision of part of existing store to create five new trade units together with associated external alterations. This application was approved in March 2008.

Recent Developments

In July 2017, South 13 (S13) launched in the former B&Q superstore and transformed it into a massive creative hub. S13 hosted a wide range of of events on the site such as music and food festivals, car shows, concerts, AVA Festival etc.

In August 2017, Easton Securities Limited submitted a Proposal of Application Notice (PAN) (LA04/2017/1906/PAN) proposing the regeneration of the former B&Q site. The proposals included:

1. Partial Demolition and Extension: Transforming the existing building into 3 new units.

2. New Construction: Erecting 1 additional unit and a multi-storey car park.

3. Mezzanine Floors: Adding mezzanine floors to the units.

4. Access Improvements: Creating new vehicular and pedestrian access off Boucher Road.

5. Parking and Lighting: Altering the surface car park layout and improving lighting.

6. Landscaping and Ancillary Works: Enhancing the surrounding landscape and adding other necessary works.

Unit Details:

• Unit 1: Bulky goods retail warehouse with an external garden centre.

• Unit 2: Expanded bulky goods retail warehouse for sports goods, clothing, and equipment, with outlet and internet sales (click and collect), storage, and a gym (including mezzanine floors on the first and second levels).

• Unit 3: New bulky goods retail warehouse with a first-floor mezzanine.

• Unit 4: 1,506 square meters of community space (Class D of the Planning Use Classes Order 2015).

In January 2018, S13 Belfast Limited submitted a Proposal of Application Notice (PAN) (LA04/2018/0138/PAN) proposing temporary (meanwhile) use of existing retail warehouse unit as shared cultural space.

In June 2018, Easton Securities Ltd submitted a planning application (LA04/2018/1727/F) proposing demolition of entrance and exit canopies and replacement of facades on the western elevation (fronting Boucher Road) and part of the southern elevation (side of building onto Balmoral Road). This application was approved in September 2018.

In July 2018, Easton Securities Ltd submitted a planning application (LA04/2018/1940/F) proposing relocation of garden centre from north to south side of the building, including demolition of existing structures. Amendments to southern elevations (Balmoral Road), service yard alterations and fencing, footway adjustments on Balmoral Road for temporary service vehicle parking, and car park modifications. This application was approved in February 2019.

In January 2019, The Range confirmed it will open a new 65,000 sq ft superstore and garden centre in the former B&Q superstore at 38 Boucher Road.

In March 2019, S13, Up Productions and Easton Security submitted a planning application (LA04/2019/0606/F) proposing temporary use of 6.150 square metres of existing retail warehouse unit as shared cultural space for the AVA Festival and Conference on 31 May and 1 June 2019. This application was withdrawn in June 2019.

In October 2020, The Range opened it's superstore, creating 80 new jobs, providing full-time and part-time roles in management, retail administration and warehousing.

New Medical Facility

In September 2023, Norlin EV Limited submitted a Proposal of Application Notice (PAN) (LA04/2023/4049/PAN) proposing change of use of part of former B&Q retail warehouse to use as a private medical facility. This Proposal of Application Notice was deemed acceptable.

In April 2024, Norlin EV Limited submitted a planning application (LA04/2024/0714/F) proposing the development of a private medical facility (a hospital within Class C3) comprising of the change of use of part of retail warehouse and the extension of the building to create a private medical facility with a significant element of overnight residential care together with all associated ancillary development.

Affidea, Europe’s biggest medical care provider, will operate the new private medical facility and will create up to 120 new jobs. The hospital is comprised of the following facilities:

• Reception and waiting area

• Express Care/Fracture Clinic (over two floors)

• Imaging Suite (over the two floors) and associated waiting areas

• Theatres with ancillary accommodation

• Recovery – a total of 74 No. recovery beds

• Ancillary accommodation over the two floors

  • 11 no. consulting rooms

  • 1 no. physiotherapy suite

  • 1 no. sterile services department

  • Pharmacy facilities

  • Staff accommodation

  • 2 no. kitchens

  • Toilets and storage facilities