The number of planning applications has increased by approximately 25% over the past year, according to Belfast City Council (BCC).

Between 01 June and 31 August 2016, the Planning Service received 507 new applications, compared to 406 applications in the same period in 2015.

The Council issued 548 decisions, compared to 333 in the same quarter last year.

Councillor Peter Johnston, Chair of the Planning Committee, said: "The figures speak for themselves. While the number of applications received by the Council increased by 25 per cent in the past three months, the number of decisions issued went up by 65 per cent in the same period.

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"This turnaround has not been without its difficulties. The issuing of legacy decisions, inherited from the former Department of the Environment, continues to impact on our ability to achieve statutory targets. Having said that, the average processing times for major applications by the Council's Planning Service is shorter than when we took over from the Department. That is a terrific achievement and a testimony to the dedication of the Service's staff.

"As the largest planning authority, Belfast understandably receives the most applications, both of a local and a major nature."

(CD/MH)