A NEW £55 million development in the Markets area of south Belfast has been given the go ahead.
Belfast City Council’s planning committee on Tuesday night agreed an application for the development at East Bridge Street, next to Central Station.
One of the high-rise blocks will be 14 storeys high.
Residents had raised concerns the development would affect their privacy and block natural light.
However, the council said the project had the potential to create 2,500 jobs.
Councillor Peter Johnston, chairman of the planning committee, said the development would regenerate the site and provide investment.
The project will include a shopping street which Mr Johnston said would "enhance the vitality and viability of the neighbouring Tunnels community project by increasing footfall".
"The quality of public space will be improved with the creation of a central landscaped plaza which will be accessed from Stewart Street and East Bridge Street," he said.
"This kind of development is vital in helping to transform Belfast and attracting further investment.”
The planning committee also approved permission for a new Raidio Fáilte building at the junction of the Westlink and Divis Street in west Belfast and a new community centre to the back of Ava Avenue, Delhi Parade and Haywood Drive, off Ormeau Road in south Belfast.
The go ahead was also given to a temporary inflatable exhibition space on Queen’s Road in the city's Titanic Quarter.
