Plans to transform Cathedral Gardens in Belfast into a unique civic space have been given the go-ahead by the city council's Planning Committee.

The redevelopment will include a public plaza for small events, an urban forest/woodland garden area, a play zone for children with digital art displays, and new lighting, planting and seating.

The plans also include a new memorial to commemorate the Belfast Blitz, featuring a bronze frieze and a mirrored wall to create a reflective space. The existing Rinty Monaghan memorial will be relocated within the gardens.

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The Planning Committee also approved a planning application by the National Trust to refurbish and repurpose three buildings at its Divis and Black Mountain site. The development will include a new visitor centre with a kiosk area, exhibition space, and an accessible toilet, as well as improvements to paths, routes, signage, and furniture.

"The redevelopment of Cathedral Gardens is part of Council's major physical investment programme to transform this area in the city centre into a welcoming, attractive, sustainable, social space for people to enjoy all year round, night and day," said Councillor Arder Carson, Chair of the council's Planning Committee.

"It complements and builds upon other recent investment into this area, across from the new look University of Ulster and around the corner from Belfast Stories, due to open by 2030 along Royal Avenue and aiming to attract more than 700,000 visitors per year," added Councillor Carson.