Trial Approved for Drug Needle Bin in Belfast City Centre 

Belfast City Council has approved a trial for a drug needle disposal bin at a city centre car park behind the Central Library on Little Donegall Street.

The proposal, supported by elected representatives at a recent committee meeting, will go before the full council next month for final approval, which is expected to pass. Councillors selected Little Donegall Street over another council-owned site at Corporation Square. Other high-need areas like Writer’s Square were not eligible due to being under Stormont ownership.

Green Party Councillor Brian Smyth, who has previously advocated for a Glasgow-style model of sharps bins in Belfast, supported the move but noted the area is not the worst affected. Sinn Féin Councillor JJ Magee highlighted concerns from residents over increased drug activity following a surge in student housing developments, suggesting developer contributions could help fund alley-gates for added security.

The pilot location was chosen following a year-long consultation with outreach partners and analysis of needle removal data. Factors included proximity to housing, community spaces, and council access.

While private multi-storey car parks report higher needle finds, they fall outside council responsibility, limiting their suitability for the trial without owner cooperation.

Update on Humming Noise Investigation at Ulster University

The Ulster University has identified the source of the persistent humming noise affecting the area and is actively working to resolve the issue.

Following a detailed investigation, the cause has been traced to faulty vacuum pumps located on the Level 09 roof of the Main Building. There are nine pumps in total, each of which has now been tested. As a temporary measure to reduce the noise, only three pumps are currently in operation. UU continues to explore whether additional pumps can be safely switched off without impacting operations.

Specialist contractors have advised that the existing pumps may be over-specified for their purpose, which could result in continued noise even after servicing or refurbishment. UU has therefore requested alternative proposals. These include the use of quieter or demand-driven pumps and a potential reduction in the overall number of units.

In parallel, The Ulster University is progressing with the installation of noise-mitigating measures. Soundproofing materials have been procured and are currently being fitted to the active pumps. Once installation is complete, further noise measurements will be taken to assess the effectiveness of the improvements.

The University is still awaiting detailed proposals and costings from the pump specialists and is urging for an expedited resolution. It is hoped that a permanent solution will be implemented within the coming weeks.

The Ulster University sincerely apologises to all affected residents for the inconvenience and appreciates their patience as the team works towards a long-term fix. 

The LARG website will continue to provide updates as they develop.

Popular Food Retailer Launches New Local Store

Popular food retailer Greggs is set to open a new outlet on Saturday, March 29th, at the corner of Frederick Street and York Street. The new store will provide takeaway & sitin food options for the local community, workers, students and visitors in the area. Yum!!

Student Accommodation Opens Nearly a Third of Rooms for Short-Term Lets Amid High Vacancies.

Local media have reported that the student accommodation block 'The Edge' on York Street is converting nearly a third of its rooms into short-term lets due to an "abnormally high" number of vacancies this academic year. The building is a 307-room luxury complex beside Ulster University, was completed last September after delays but struggled to attract enough student tenants. London-based developer 48-52 York Street Operating LLP secured temporary approval to repurpose 92 rooms across three floors for short-term stays until August. 

A representative cited missed pre-term marketing opportunities and noted that similar student accommodations often use vacant rooms for corporate or tourist lets. While Belfast City Council unanimously approved the change, Green Party councillor Áine Groogan raised concerns about students expecting an exclusively student-only residence. The applicant assured that an appropriate management plan is in place to minimise interactions between students and short-term guests.

The Edge’s General Manager, Carol-Ann Doyle, has addressed concerns regarding temporary rental arrangements for non-students within the accommodation by stating the following: "Regarding the article in the Irish News, The Edge had planning approval granted to 90 rooms within the building for non-students to rent until September 2025. It is temporary. They will be completely segregated from the students, with no access to communal areas except the main entrance, bin store and laundry room. I’d like to reassure you that we are mainly targeting corporates and longer-term stays, for example we will be renting to nurses and lecturers, for conferences throughout the summer. Our focus will always be the students, it will be carefully managed".