Four new capital projects in Northern Ireland will be developed after a £9m investment was green-lit by the NI Executive.

The Urban Villages (UV) Capital Plan will receive a multi-million pound extension for the projects which include The School of Music, Westland Community Centre and Market Arches in Belfast, and The Realm Project in County L'Derry.

The School of Music project will see the redevelopment of the Former School of Music on Donegall Pass with a range of social economy, charitable and creative ventures established within. The building has been vacant since 2009 and is now in a state of dereliction and disrepair.

The Westland Community Centre project, in Ballysillan, entails the construction of a new community centre which will deliver an innovative and community led service.

Meanwhile, the Market Arches project includes the regeneration of eight tunnels, in the former railway arches located directly below East Bridge Street, as interconnecting commercial and social spaces. Core uses will include a gym, café/restaurant and a childcare facility.

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Finally, The Realm project in L'Derry will see the development of a network of high quality hard and soft neighbourhood public realm improvements across the Fountain, Bogside and Bishop Street. This will transform the landscape and environment of public space into a high-quality Neighbourhood Realm; followed by the delivery of public realm design works within the agreed areas of focus.

The project will also consider vacancy and dereliction throughout the UV area. New Gate Apartments is a sub-project of the Realm that will see the refurbishment of two adjoining properties beside UV’s New Gate Arts and Culture Centre in the Fountain.

Discussing the investment, First Minister Michelle O’Neill said: "The £9m investment is an exciting expansion to the Urban Villages Capital Plan and will provide local communities with much-needed physical regeneration and play a key role in promoting good relations.

"The four capital projects will bring people together and help to meet the aim of creating safer communities, making a real and positive difference to people's lives."

Deputy First Minister Emma Little-Pengelly added: "This extension represents a major investment in the Urban Villages Initiative. The four new capital projects will be a significant addition to the 71 projects being delivered across the five areas.

"The projects will have a positive impact on the areas in which they are located. They will be landmarks for good relations and transformation and will deliver real benefits to local communities."

The UV Capital Plan - a total investment of more than £124m - builds and transforms community facilities, creating shared spaces and beacons for good relations.

It delivers social and physical infrastructure across the Urban Villages areas in Belfast and L'Derry, promoting good relations, regeneration and wider social, economic and environmental improvements.