Sinn Fein has welcomed the announcement that Belfast City Council has given the go-ahead for the Waterside development on the former Sirocco site in east Belfast.

East Belfast Representative Mairead O'Donnell said the site has "massive potential".

She said: "The site formerly occupied by the Sirocco factory has lay empty and derelict for over 10 years and has passed through previous ownerships with much promise but unfortunately no delivery.

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"It is a site with massive potential to transform this part of the city and deliver investment in jobs, leisure and housing.

"I have been engaging with the Swinford group since they acquired the site in 2016 with the focus being primarily on the delivery of social housing units.

"That engagement has been constructive and while the announcement concerns plans for office space, the next phase will focus on residential development including social housing units.

"Inclusive growth is a cornerstone to our Belfast Agenda and we have to ensure we grow our economy in an inclusive way that tackles the inequalities that exist such as housing and low wages and we want to encourage investment that does this."

(CD/MH)