A Tesco store is to be build near Belvoir

However, Environment Minister Angela Smith has given retail giant Tesco the go-ahead to build a store on the site of the old forensic science laboratory at Belvoir.

The permission is subject to the company making improvements to the roads at its own expense.

The three stores turned down had been proposed for Hydebank, Danesfort and the Saintfield Road.

The negative impact on the roads in the area was cited in each case.

Public inquiry

More than a year ago, hundreds of residents in south Belfast attended a public meeting to oppose plans for four supermarkets in the area.

Residents said there was no need for another large supermarket in south Belfast.

They were seeking a public inquiry into plans to site supermarkets at Hydebank playing fields and Belvoir.

At that time, two other applications for developments at Beechill Road and Stranmillis had already gone to the public inquiry stage.