Northern Ireland

Planning permission for the Northern Ireland section of the North-South Interconnector project, seen as the most important infrastructure project on the island of Ireland, has been effectively quashed.

Outline proposals for a 100-bedtoom luxury hotel and spa at Rostrevor, in the foothills of the Mourne Mountains, have been recommended for approval by officials at Newry, Mourne and Down District Council.

Northern Irish civil servants have approved another regionally significant development. It comprises one of the biggest office schemes ever proposed for the capital.

Two major hotel schemes were approved this week – one in Newtownabbey and the other, against the advice of officials, in Portrush.