Castle Mall part-demolition plan to make way for £7m social housing
Planning permission has been granted for part demolition of Castle Mall in Antrim and new social housing.
The proposal, which will see the construction of 39 dwellings on the town centre site, was given the go-ahead at a meeting of Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough Council’s Planning Committee, at Mossley Mill, on Monday evening.
The proposed new properties will comprise of one detached, 14 terrace and 24 apartments to be developed for Choice Housing with one retail unit and parking. Works will include upgrading of vehicular access via Railway Street and footpath to High Street. The application has been made by Keneagles Ltd, owner of Castle Mall.
Planning officer Ashleigh Wilson told the meeting the site is located in Antrim Town Conservation Area between Central Car Park and High Street. Antrim Castle Gardens is located to the west of the site.
She said it is considered part demolition of the Castle Mall shopping centre is “acceptable” and indicated that new housing may increase footfall and vibrancy in the town centre.
She added that 36 parking spaces are proposed. Residents will be offered a three-year Translink travel card and bicycle voucher.
The officer went on to say the “design, lay-out and materials are considered to be acceptable and will enhance the character and appearance of the Conservation Area”.
She reported three letters of objection suggesting it was “not a practical place for housing” and would result in increased traffic and congestion. A report to the committee stated there were 16 units operating within Castle Mall, as of October 2025, with more than half of the units vacant overall.
Retail Space
“Whilst the proposal results in the loss of 22 retail units, it is considered that the numerous benefits outweigh the concerns of loss of retail space,” the report noted.
It indicated the lay-out of the proposal consists of apartment blocks and terrace dwellings fronting on to Castle Way with a similar arrangement fronting on to the internal estate road and area of open space with further new properties fronting on to High Street.
The officer said the recommendation was to grant demolition consent and planning permission.
Planning consultant Tom Stokes said Castle Mall has had a “significant level of vacancy which has had a detrimental impact on the town centre”. He went on to say existing tenants are “concentrated together”.
He said the current shopping mall “does not make a positive contribution to the Conservation Area”. He added the new proposal would provide “a high quality design and lay-out” and the partial demolition and re-development would “bring a resident population into Antrim town centre to help sustain local businesses”.
He noted the planned social housing development would involve an investment of £7m. He pointed out the Housing Executive has indicated social housing need in the Antrim area to be 311 new homes required between 2024 and 2029 with 690 households reportedly living in “housing stress”.
Mr Stokes went on to say this is “an opportunity to deliver urgently needed social housing” which he described as “a sustainable and exemplary residential development”.
In response to a query by Macedon Ulster Unionist Councillor Robert Foster regarding a waste water system, Mr Stokes explained: “The applicant has been in lengthy discussion with NI Water and is confident we will have a solution that is deliverable.”
Threemilewater Alliance Alderman Tom Campbell asked about “under-provision” of parking. He was told 36 parking spaces will be provided for 39 units and the location is accessible by public transport with a commitment to provide future tenants with a three-year travel card and contribution towards a bicycle.
Ald Campbell proposed accepting the recommendation for part demolition of Castle Mall and construction of 39 new dwellings, seconded by Cllr Foster. Following a vote, the proposal was approved unanimously.
Michelle Weir, Local Democracy Reporter