Outline planning permission has been granted to develop a new 'town centre' in the Colin area of west Belfast.

The 21 hectare development, based around the existing Dairy Farm complex, proposes a new multi-purpose community building, a Belfast Rapid Transit hub building, health centre, leisure centre, a post-primary school and residential and retail uses.

The Belfast City Council Planning Committee made the decision at a meeting on Tuesday, 17 May.

The plans also include a town square, recreational sports pitches, sports pavilions, a formal play area and public park, public open space, landscaping, a pedestrian/cycle bridge over the Stewartstown Road, footpaths, road infrastructure, environmental improvements and car parking.

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No start date has been given for the development, which is being led by the new Department for Communities and more detail plans will have to be brought to the Planning Service before work can begin.

Two new purpose-build managed student accommodation developments in the city centre have also been approved. One includes 325 units on the site of the former Athletic Stores in Queen Street. The other development is for 354 studios on a site in Little Patrick Street.

A number of social housing developments were also given the go ahead. These included two applications by Clanmil Developments, at Colehill Gardens in Castlereagh and Gainsborough Drive in north Belfast, and two by Apex Housing Association, at Cliftonpark Avenue and Halliday’s Road, both in the north of the city. An application for a 50 unit apartment complex in Little Patrick Street was also approved.

(CD/MH)