Northern Ireland

Two major developments in the Northern Irish capital have made significant progress. The first phase of the ambitious Kings Hall Health and Wellbeing scheme gained approval, as did a major new student accommodation project for a location close to Queen's University.

Civil servants at the Department for Infrastructure have begun determining a slew of regionally significant schemes previously on ice at Stormont because of the absence of a minister.

Signature Living chairman Lawrence Kenwright has threatened to pull the plug on his proposals for a multimillion-pound hotel development in the former Crumlin Road Courthouse if planning issues with Belfast City Council are not resolved.

A Scottish developer refused permission for a major student accommodation project on Belfast’s Golden Mile has returned with a revised proposal.