Efforts are underway to protect a “precious green space” at a former convent in south Belfast where up to 11 old trees could be felled to accommodate parking spots. A planning application has been submitted for the Good Shepherd Centre on the Ormeau Road, which would see the B1-listed three-storey building converted into 27 apartments. A planning application seeks to create new apartments in the former convent PICTURE: MAL MCCANNA Magdalene laundry was at the site until the late 1970s. Proposed tree removal was one of several issues that led to 121 objection letters against a previous planning application in 2023 by the building’s then-owners, Choice Housing. He told The Irish News a Tree Preservation Order had previously been secured for trees “at this precious green space at the top of the Ormeau Road”.