The plans for the 34 hectare site, which were submitted in 2010 by landowners the Trustees of the Diocese of Down and Conor, also include an education campus, a hotel, light industry and business space, replacement care facilities, shops, community facilities and open space.
The scale and importance of the proposed scheme meant it was designated as an Article 31 application and had to be granted ministerial approval.
“This will provide much needed housing for the area, both private and social," said Durkan in a statement. "It will pump many and much needed new jobs into west Belfast. A hotel, education campus, local retailing, recreation and community facilities plus extensive areas of open space, will breathe life in to this area during the day and in to the evening. This extensive range of facilities can be enjoyed by prospective residents as well as encouraging people in to the area,” he said.
The Minister added that he was determined to clear the backlog of planning applications sitting with the Department of Environment and to provide a planning system "that can deliver". "What I and DOE are about is a better environment and a stronger economy. This decision will certainly contribute to that,” he said.
