The Northern Ireland Planning Service has refused to respond to claims it failed to contact a hospital for almost two years before approving a planning application that included its land.

According to reports, the service gave the green light for houses to be built at the grounds of Knock Golf Club's, part of which is leased from the Ulster Hospital at Dundonald, said the BBC.

The club wanted to keep five acres of the 12-acre plot in return for giving up the lease 50 years early. This move would then free up the remaining land for hospital use.

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Approval was granted on that basis but the South Eastern Health Trust has since confirmed it never agreed to change the lease.

The application included plans to reduce the gold course to nine holes, while building around 300 houses, including some social housing.

The club's new golf course would then be built separately on a greenfield site at another location.

The lease agreement between Ulster Hospital and Knock Golf Club on the entire 12-acre plot is currently halfway through a 100-year term.

However, the trust has reportedly told the BBC that the Planning Service did not make any contact with them for almost two years before it approved the planning application.

The service declined to make any comment, when contacted by the BBC in relation to this matter.

(NS/CD)