Antrim and Newtownabbey: Green light for new £8m Home Bargains store with the potential to create 95 jobs and 65 construction roles
Planning permission has been granted for a proposed new £8m Home Bargains store on the site of a former car showroom in Antrim.
The proposal for a retail unit with car parking, access, landscaping and site works on lands at the former Townparks outlet, between Ballymena Road and Springfarm Road, was given the go-ahead at a meeting of Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough Council’s Planning Committee, at Mossley Mill, on Monday evening.
Barry Diamond, the council’s head of planning, told the committee the proposal by applicant TJ Morris Ltd is for a Home Bargains store with a floor space of 2,183 square metres and 116 car parking spaces. He said the proposed design is “typical of other Home Bargain stores”.
Two letters of objection were received highlighting concerns over road safety, noise and vacant retail outlets in Antrim town centre.There was also one letter of support for the proposed location.
Mr Diamond indicated for an out of town store proposal to be acceptable to planners, it must be demonstrated it could not be accommodated within a retail centre and it would not have an adverse impact on the town centre.
In this case, he explained, it has been demonstrated through a retail impact assessment there are no suitable available and viable sites within Antrim town centre.
He went on to say there will be minimal trade drawn from Antrim town centre with turnover drawn instead from Asda, Lidl, B&M and Tesco and minimal impact on Randalstown and Crumlin. He said the proposal would result in 95 direct and 59 indirect retail job jobs.
A committee report stated Antrim has 17% of units vacant, which is above the UK average of 14% and it is noted many of the vacant units within Antrim are located in Castle Mall.
It said the council’s Plan Strategy identifies the retail turnover for Antrim town as being approximately £67m, which includes Tesco.
The report stated: “The principal competing shops to the proposed development are located closer to the application site at The Junction. As such, Antrim’s health and its vitality and viability will be largely unaffected by this proposal.
“Consequently, the trading impact of the proposed retail store is not expected to cause significant detriment to any designated retailing centres within the borough.
“Given the size of the proposed development, it is accepted that there are no suitable available buildings or sites currently on the market which would be able to accommodate the proposed development within a reasonable proximity to the targeted market.”
Planning consultant Eamonn Loughran told the committee feedback from local residents showed the proposed development was a “welcome investment” adding residents “will not have to drive to Ballymena for a Home Bargains store”.
He went on to say potential impact on other stores, which he remarked, are trading successfully, “will not be harmful”.
“There is a need for the proposal because it will increase competition with large retailers. It will also reduce leakage in spending from Antrim,” he stated.
Mr Loughran went on to say the planned store has been designed to protect the amenity of neighbours and would be located away from the residential boundary with a frontage onto Ballymena Road.
He pointed out the development would create 95 jobs and 65 construction jobs. He reported that demolition work is expected to commence on site before Christmas and construction commencing in early 2027 with a target opening date for next Christmas.
Glengormley Sinn Fein Councillor Rosie Kinnear proposed accepting the recommendation to approve the application, seconded by Threemilewater Ulster Unionist Cllr Stephen Cosgrove. Following a vote, planning permission was granted unanimously.
Michelle Weir, Local Democracy Reporter