Planning permission has been granted to Titanic Quarter projects worth over £500m, the Environment Minister said yesterday. Edwin Poots confirmed the massive investment being poured into the area during a visit to the 185 acre site yesterday.

The Minister said: “This is a very exciting development. An estimated £7bn is to be invested in the area over the next 25 years. So far planning approval has been granted to projects worth in excess of £500m.

“The construction phase of this major development project is providing much needed construction jobs and upon completion, will provide further jobs in the tourism and hospitality industry.”

He said the progress of the development showed the “significant impact” of the Planning Service and investors on Northern Ireland’s economy.

“It has taken the vision of the developers and the co-ordination and support of planners to realise the potential for the people |of Belfast and for Northern |Ireland.”

Mike Smith, chief executive of the Titanic Quarter, said: “A number of significant development projects for Titanic Quarter have already been approved by Planning Service and work on these is progressing at pace.

“Such projects include the Titanic Signature Project, the new Public Records Office for Northern Ireland, the Belfast Metropolitan College and new office and |hotel accommodation. Indeed Citigroup is already operating from its new flagship offices at |the Titanic Quarter gateway site.”

A spokesman for the Department of the Environment said six planning applications for the Titanic Quarter were progressing through the system. These include office, residential, hotel and leisure accommodation.

An application was made recently for a 90-room boutique hotel, including an extension to the former Harland & Wolff headquarters building. Premier Inn is also planning a budget hotel for the area.