The first plan of its kind has been set out to protect and create green and blue infrastructure across Belfast.

Belfast City Council is introducing the plan to help protect green areas like parks and amenity spaces, and support blue infrastructure such as rivers and streams, reservoirs, lakes and ponds.

Speaking after publishing the plan, Chair of Belfast City Council's Planning Committee, Councillor Arder Carson, said: "Our new Green and Blue Infrastructure Plan is about protecting our environment and improving quality of life for everyone in Belfast as we work to achieve our ambitious Belfast Agenda objectives. As the city develops, we need to carefully balance the needs of our residents and our valuable natural habitats so that we protect and create spaces for recreation, improve air quality and encourage wildlife to thrive.

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"As a council, we now have responsibility for land use planning for Belfast and it's vital that we consider our green and blue infrastructure as integral parts of the city. Like any type of infrastructure, these assets will only continue to provide us with benefits if we actively plan, invest in and manage them to ensure that they're used sustainably."

The Council will work with local communities, developers and other agencies to implement the plan and bring more green areas and rejuvenated waterways to the city.

The new plan will support the Local Development Plan, which is currently being prepared, and also provides the framework for the new Belfast Open Spaces Strategy.

(CM/JG)