Love it or hate it, the Belfast Wheel is fast becoming a landmark on Belfast's skyline. However, as planning permission expires at the end of December 2008, it days could be numbered.

Ironically, the Department of the Environment. responsible for giving planning permission to the wheel in the first place, has lodged an objection to planning being extended.

The Agency's objection to a renewed planning application, was made to ensure the wheel did not become a permanent feature beside a listed building.

The Big Wheel came to its Belfast City Hall location in October 2007, earlier in 2008 the wheel secured a planning extension until New Year's Eve. The new application which would enable the wheel to remain in place until August 2009, after which it is expected that the Wheel will move to a new location, possible locations include the Titanic Quarter.

A decision has not yet been made on the application and it is expected that despite the previous planning permission having expired, that the wheel will continue trading.

Last Updated 22nd December 2008