Plans to build two social housing developments, new purpose-built student accommodation and a life-sized statue of musician Rory Gallagher have all been approved by Belfast City Council's planning committee.

The former Havelock House building on the Ormeau Road, where television station UTV previously had its headquarters, will now be turned into a social housing development containing 104 residential units.

Furthermore, the previous Belfast Metropolitan College campus site on the Whiterock Road will be transformed into a mixed-use development with 62 social housing units and a new children's centre.

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Also at the council's planning committee meeting, plans to develop a purpose-built managed student accommodation on Castle Street/Fountain Street within the city have been green-lit.

This project will see the demolition of existing buildings on site for the build of an 821 room student accommodation with communal facilities including gym, cinema, meeting/study rooms and laundry rooms.

Meanwhile, a life-sized statue to musician Rory Gallagher, to be installed at the Ulster Hall, was given the go-ahead.

Other approvals included plans for a public realm enhancement scheme in Little Patrick Street and Little York Street, which will entail installing planters, seating and lighting at the locations.

Councillor Arder Carson, Chair of the council's planning committee, said: "It's always good to see a range of different planning applications before our planning committee.

"This month we welcome approvals for more social housing in the city, accommodation for our students and approval to a new statue to remember local music legend Rory Gallagher."