Belfast could be in line to become a city of virtual skyscrapers, if a new policy just mooted receives approval.

NI's Department of Environment is currently developing a policy that will prevent "ad hoc" decisions on tall buildings by planning officers.

Speaking to the Belfast Telegraph, NI Environment Minister Edwin Poots said: "We are comfortable with the principle of tall buildings where they are appropriate.

"If we are to continue to grow our economy we need to grow our population, and tall buildings can accommodate people residentially and maximise our land use."

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The Minister said that Belfast was "behind the times" when it came to skyscrapers.

The decision comes a year after HKR architects’ Aurora project – a 37-storey residential tower proposed for Belfast – was refused planning permission.

Michael Galbraith, Director in Belfast of HKR architects, said: "We're not aware exactly sure what (the policy in development) will say but probably tall buildings will be allowed in clusters, in designated areas and at gateway sites."

Broadway Malyan's Peter Vaughan – the architect behind Belfast's 85m Obel Tower, which will be Northern Ireland's tallest building upon completion - described the news as a "long overdue piece of policy that puts a rational yardstick on the placing of tall buildings".

Mr Vaughan continued: "There are definitely other sites in Belfast where you could genuinely and rationally place a tall building in Belfast. But not on a smash-and-grab basis."

(NS/BMcC)