Taller buildings will play an essential role in reducing Northern Ireland's carbon footprint can provide "high quality urban living environments", according to the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS).

Northern Ireland Environment Minister, Edwin Poots, recently revealed that his department would soon publish a new policy on tall buildings in Belfast.

RICS Northern Ireland Director, Ben Collins, welcomed the comments, saying that living in urban centres improves sustainability and that quality mixed use developments with high density are the answer.

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"We welcome the Minister’s comments in relation to the need for higher density development in Belfast and the need for clear guidelines for planners and developers in relations to taller buildings," said Mr Collins.

"Other European cities with similar populations to Belfast occupy much smaller areas and are therefore more sustainable. Too high a proportion of our population in Northern Ireland currently lives in suburban and rural areas. This means greater distances to travel to workplaces, shops, schools, leisure centres and other social infrastructure and less efficiency in service provision."

He continued: "In order to encourage more people to live in urban centres and derive the resulting environmental and economic benefits, higher density development achieved through quality taller buildings, is essential.

"Tall buildings tend to have a bad name in Northern Ireland due to some of the high rise flats built of the 60s. However modern, high quality and innovative design will ensure that taller buildings provide a high quality living environment and are in keeping with the urban landscape."

(NS/GK)