There are two new development sites coming on-stream soon as the police dispose of both a north Belfast police station that is no longer open to the public and is due to close down and a fully operational one in the south of the city.

Oldpark PSNI station is no longer open to the public but is still used as a base by officers, even though it had been targeted for attack by dissident IRA republicans with a pipe bomb thrown at the back of the station.

A spokesman for the NI Policing Board has now said it agreed to the disposal of the station last week.

According to the Belfast News Letter a spokeswoman said: "In due course the site will be submitted to Land & Property Services to be circulated throughout the public sector for expressions of interest in the first instance, in accordance with Guidance for the 'Disposal of Public Sector Surplus Property'."

Meanwhile, it is understood the existing Carryduff police station is also to be disposed of as the station is said not to be 'fit for purpose'.

There's more immediate good news for the beleaguered construction sector too as an alternative location within the Carryduff area would have to be found before closure would happen with an obvious boost for builders as a result when the new premises is built, and also when the old site is redeveloped.

(BMcC/KMcA)