Northern Ireland environment minister Alex Attwood has approved planning permission for the £360m Royal Exchange development, which is to transform a part of central Belfast.

It is one of the largest planning applications ever dealt with in the province and is centred on the north-eastern quarter of the city - an area in decline for a number of years.

The proposals include a 25-bedroom hotel, a cultural arts centre and 200 apartments, as well as cafés and bars, 50,000sq ft (4,645sq m) of retail floorspace and office accommodation.

It is hoped the combination of retail, arts and leisure facilities will ensure the scheme will see a "new vibrant environment beyond normal shopping hours" created in Belfast.

A number of existing buildings are to be demolished as part of the project, although work to restore other listed buildings and façades will also be undertaken.

Attwood said: "The economic, physical and social benefits will impact positively on many people's lives whilst sympathetically rejuvenating the historic centre of Belfast."

Click here for more information about Alex Attwood's decision.