Ask An Architect Charity Initiative

PropertyPal are delighted to support “Ask An Architect” and support <a href="https://simoncommunity.org/">Simon Community's</a> mission to end homelessness in Northern Ireland.&nbsp;Ask An Architect is a yearly charity initiative organised by the <a href="https://rsua.org.uk/">Royal Society of Ulster Architects </a>(RSUA). 100% of the money raised is donated to Simon Community Northern Ireland, in support of their work to end homelessness in Northern Ireland.Now in its eleventh year, the initiative has already raised over £100,000, with last year seeing £19,000 added to the total. The concept behind the scheme is simple. By making a minimum donation of £75, members of the public can enjoy an hour-long consultation with a chartered architect. This consultation is completely free of any obligations or restrictions.<img class="image_resized" style="width:75%;" src="https://content-hub.propertypal.com/media/Untitled_design_4_e94fc328e7/Untitled_design_4_e94fc328e7.png" alt="Untitled design (4).png" srcset="https://content-hub.propertypal.com/media/thumbnail_Untitled_design_4_e94fc328e7/thumbnail_Untitled_design_4_e94fc328e7.png 245w,https://content-hub.propertypal.com/media/small_Untitled_design_4_e94fc328e7/small_Untitled_design_4_e94fc328e7.png 500w,https://content-hub.propertypal.com/media/medium_Untitled_design_4_e94fc328e7/medium_Untitled_design_4_e94fc328e7.png 750w,https://content-hub.propertypal.com/media/large_Untitled_design_4_e94fc328e7/large_Untitled_design_4_e94fc328e7.png 1000w," sizes="100vw"> Photo Credit: Patrick Bradley Architect / Joe Laverty If you are in the process of planning a building project, regardless of its scale, ‘Ask An Architect’ can provide invaluable support and guidance. Whether you want to revamp your existing space, add an extension or home office, or even design a new home from scratch, you can connect with a chartered architect who will help bring your ideas to life.Over 30 practices have volunteered their time to take part in this year’s initiative. Their expertise spans all types of domestic work, business premises, community projects, conservation architecture, interior design, extensions or one-off houses. The participant list includes established award-winners, sustainable design champions, restoration experts, and fresh innovative design teams, all with their own approach and philosophy.Bookings will be open until the end of September 2026.

<hr>To donate and book your architect online, simply click below.&nbsp;

Ask An Architect is a yearly charity initiative by the RSUA. 100% of funds raised go to Simon Community NI to help end homelessness in NI. 

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Ministers welcome £190m Loftlines completion

First Minister Michelle O’Neill and deputy First Minister Emma Little-Pengelly have welcomed the completion of Loftlines, Northern Ireland’s first large-scale Build-to-Rent (BTR) development, in Belfast’s Titanic Quarter.The 627 BTR homes were funded through a £150 million investment by L&amp;G, its first Build-to-Rent investment in Northern Ireland and the largest residential investment in the region. The first residents moved into their new, professionally managed homes in early September.The wider £190 million Loftlines scheme comprises 778 homes across BTR, social, discounted market rent and private rental accommodation. With new public realm, green space and commercial space, it has transformed a previously underdeveloped waterfront site into a new mixed-use neighbourhood within Titanic Quarter.More than £105 million was spent locally during construction, supporting more than 650 jobs directly and through the wider supply chain.During a visit to Loftlines, First Minister Michelle O’Neill said:&nbsp;“Loftlines is a major addition to Belfast and demonstrates what can be achieved when investment is matched with ambition and a commitment to creating better places for our people. At a time when we need more homes, it is great to see this waterfront site transformed and the first residents now moving in and beginning to make Loftlines their home.&nbsp;“I want to see our towns and cities continue to grow and develop, attracting investment that delivers for our people, supports local jobs and strengthens our communities for years to come. Developments like this have an important part to play in that.”<img class="image_resized" style="width:75%;" src="https://content-hub.propertypal.com/media/Alexandra_Brown_First_Minister_deputy_First_Minister_Dan_Batterton_marking_completion_of_190m_Loftlines_development_70022e6052/Alexandra_Brown_First_Minister_deputy_First_Minister_Dan_Batterton_marking_completion_of_190m_Loftlines_development_70022" alt="Alexandra Brown, First Minister, deputy First Minister, Dan Batterton marking completion of 190m Loftlines development.jpeg" srcset="https://content-hub.propertypal.com/media/thumbnail_Alexandra_Brown_First_Minister_deputy_First_Minister_Dan_Batterton_marking_completion_of_190m_Loftlines_development_70022e6052/thumbnail_Alexandra_Brown_First_Minister_deputy_First_Minister_Dan_Batterton_marking_completion_of_190m_Loftlines_development_70022e6052.jpeg 234w,https://content-hub.propertypal.com/media/small_Alexandra_Brown_First_Minister_deputy_First_Minister_Dan_Batterton_marking_completion_of_190m_Loftlines_development_70022e6052/small_Alexandra_Brown_First_Minister_deputy_First_Minister_Dan_Batterton_marking_completion_of_190m_Loftlines_development_70022e6052.jpeg 500w,https://content-hub.propertypal.com/media/medium_Alexandra_Brown_First_Minister_deputy_First_Minister_Dan_Batterton_marking_completion_of_190m_Loftlines_development_70022e6052/medium_Alexandra_Brown_First_Minister_deputy_First_Minister_Dan_Batterton_marking_completion_of_190m_Loftlines_development_70022e6052.jpeg 750w,https://content-hub.propertypal.com/media/large_Alexandra_Brown_First_Minister_deputy_First_Minister_Dan_Batterton_marking_completion_of_190m_Loftlines_development_70022e6052/large_Alexandra_Brown_First_Minister_deputy_First_Minister_Dan_Batterton_marking_completion_of_190m_Loftlines_development_70022e6052.jpeg 1000w," sizes="100vw"> Alexandra Brown, First Minister, deputy First Minister and Dan Batterton at Loftlines&nbsp;Deputy First Minister Emma Little-Pengelly said:&nbsp;"Loftlines represents a significant investment in Belfast's continued regeneration and residential growth, and it is fantastic to see this landmark waterfront development in the heart of city, with its first residents now settling in and making the most of the impressive amenities.&nbsp;“Loftlines demonstrates what can be achieved through collaboration between the public and private sectors and is an excellent example of the innovative approaches called for in our Housing Supply Strategy, combining Build-to-Rent accommodation with mixed-tenure affordable housing to meet a range of housing needs.“I look forward to seeing this thriving new community continue to grow within Titanic Quarter."The BTR homes offer professionally managed rental living, with dedicated on-site management and a range of resident amenities including fitness and wellness facilities, co-working spaces, resident lounges, private dining areas, a games room and landscaped rooftop terraces. The wider development also creates new spaces for the community, including South Yard Square, a play park, urban sports courts and a waterside promenade.Dan Batterton, Head of Housing at L&amp;G, said:“Our investment reflects our confidence in Belfast and Northern Ireland as a market for Build-to-Rent, with strong demand for high-quality, professionally managed rental homes and the potential to create vibrant new communities.“Our experience of delivering Loftlines has reinforced our confidence in the long-term potential of the market and in Northern Ireland as a place for institutional investment in the rental sector. The first residents are now making their homes here, and our focus is on creating a resident experience that delivers on the promise of Loftlines.”The BTR homes have also been designed with sustainable living in mind, with an all-electric energy-efficient building design, air-source heat pumps, solar panels and green spaces incorporated throughout the scheme. Residents also benefit from sustainable travel options, with a new Beryl Bike station, dedicated cycle routes and secure on-site cycle storage, alongside easy access to Glider and rail services.Loftlines has been delivered through a partnership between L&amp;G, co-developers Lacuna Developments and Watkin Jones, with Titanic Quarter Ltd as estate owner. The BTR homes are operated by urbanbubble, while Clanmil Housing Association manages the social housing and Fresh manages the discounted market-rent and private rental homes.

<hr>Browse the different properties available at Loftlines on PropertyPal below.&nbsp;

First Minister Michelle O’Neill and deputy First Minister Emma Little-Pengelly have welcomed the completion of Loftlines, NI's first Build to Rent development. 

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Co-Ownership new build limit increased to £230,000

Following approval from the Department for Communities, a Property Value Limit (PVL) of £230,000 has been made available to <a href="https://co-ownership.org/">Co-Ownership</a>, supporting its eligible customers to purchase a new build property.This PVL, specifically for new build properties, recognises that new build homes in Northern Ireland are often more expensive than existing properties of the same type. It will be available to customers in addition to the limit of £215,000 already in place for existing properties. Co-Ownership applicants will have their affordability assessed and determined at the application stage. Co-Ownership is Northern Ireland’s only provider of shared ownership, and is the Department’s delivery partner for 4,000 affordable homes by 2029. In 2024/25, the organisation supported 961 households into home ownership, representing a £161 million boost to the local property market.<img class="image_resized" style="width:75%;" src="https://content-hub.propertypal.com/media/Pictured_L_R_Co_Ownerships_Executive_Leadership_Team_Mark_Graham_Charles_O_Neill_and_Glynis_Hobson_8d916d4998/Pictured_L_R_Co_Ownerships_Executive_Leadership_Team_Mark_Graham_Charles_O_Neill_and_Glynis_Hobson_8d916d4998.jpg" alt="Pictured L-R- Co-Ownerships Executive Leadership Team_ Mark Graham, Charles ONeill, and Glynis Hobson.jpg" srcset="https://content-hub.propertypal.com/media/thumbnail_Pictured_L_R_Co_Ownerships_Executive_Leadership_Team_Mark_Graham_Charles_O_Neill_and_Glynis_Hobson_8d916d4998/thumbnail_Pictured_L_R_Co_Ownerships_Executive_Leadership_Team_Mark_Graham_Charles_O_Neill_and_Glynis_Hobson_8d916d4998.jpg 235w,https://content-hub.propertypal.com/media/small_Pictured_L_R_Co_Ownerships_Executive_Leadership_Team_Mark_Graham_Charles_O_Neill_and_Glynis_Hobson_8d916d4998/small_Pictured_L_R_Co_Ownerships_Executive_Leadership_Team_Mark_Graham_Charles_O_Neill_and_Glynis_Hobson_8d916d4998.jpg 500w,https://content-hub.propertypal.com/media/medium_Pictured_L_R_Co_Ownerships_Executive_Leadership_Team_Mark_Graham_Charles_O_Neill_and_Glynis_Hobson_8d916d4998/medium_Pictured_L_R_Co_Ownerships_Executive_Leadership_Team_Mark_Graham_Charles_O_Neill_and_Glynis_Hobson_8d916d4998.jpg 750w,https://content-hub.propertypal.com/media/large_Pictured_L_R_Co_Ownerships_Executive_Leadership_Team_Mark_Graham_Charles_O_Neill_and_Glynis_Hobson_8d916d4998/large_Pictured_L_R_Co_Ownerships_Executive_Leadership_Team_Mark_Graham_Charles_O_Neill_and_Glynis_Hobson_8d916d4998.jpg 1000w," sizes="100vw">Pictured L-R: Co-Ownerships Executive Leadership Team - Mark Graham, Charles O'Neill and Glynis Hobson &nbsp;<blockquote>Mark Graham, Chief Executive of Co-Ownership, said, “We welcome the decision by the Department to establish this new Property Value Limit of £230,000 for new build homes. As property prices continue to rise, this will give our customers access to more homes across Northern Ireland, helping them to achieve home ownership. “We support approximately nine per cent of all first-time buyer transactions in Northern Ireland each year. Importantly, 90 per cent of our&nbsp;co-owners go on to buy out our share of their home, proving the model’s effectiveness as a vehicle for affordable home ownership in Northern Ireland. “By increasing choice for people, we will continue to contribute to the delivery of the region’s housing objectives. Since 1978, we have proudly supported more than 35,000 people on their journey and almost 50 years on we remain committed to working with the Department to build on this progress.” &nbsp;</blockquote>The new Property Value Limit comes as Local Development Plans (LDPs) continue to be progressed by the eleven Councils. Introduced in Northern Ireland in 2015 as part of a major overhaul of the planning system, LDPs shift planning control from central government to councils to ensure decision- making is more democratic, and efficient. As a result of these plans, all new residential developments above a certain size will have to include affordable housing, including Co-Ownership.Mark explained that Local Development Plans are unlocking opportunity. &nbsp;<blockquote>He said, “Local Development Plans&nbsp;have become a key component in providing our customers access to new build homes. Within the plans, residential developments over a certain size must include affordable housing. These mixed tenure developments are typically a blend of private sale, social housing, and Co-Ownership homes. Over the last year, this additional supply of homes has offered over 100 eligible Co-Ownership customers the opportunity to buy a new build home – a trend we expect to gain momentum as more Plans are adopted.”</blockquote>Under the new Property Value Limit, applicants can choose a new build property anywhere in Northern Ireland up to the value of £230,000, if their affordability allows it. The buyer purchases a share of the property between 50 and 90 per cent with a mortgage lender and Co-Ownership&nbsp;retains the remaining share. The buyer pays a reduced rent on the portion owned by&nbsp;Co-Ownership. This part ownership, part rental, lowers both the deposit requirement and the combined monthly costs making home ownership possible for people otherwise unable to buy. The Property Value Limit for existing homes is currently set at £215,000.

A PVL of £230,000 has been made available to Co-Ownership, supporting its eligible customers to
purchase a new build property.

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Ask An Architect Charity Initiative
Published 17 Sep 2026

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