Offices get go-ahead at Galgorm

The scheme will bring an investment of £3million to the area with high specification offices and workspace units.

These are designed sympathetically to complement the Grade A listed Castle and the existing business park that previously won a prestigious Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) Award for building restoration of the year.

There are already 20 small businesses in the business park which has attracted international firms including an American engineering company and a South Korean software company.

This is part of an overall investment of £8million by Galgorm Castle Estate. A championship golf course, due to hold the Northern Ireland Open later this summer is already in place; a new garden centre is currently under construction bringing with it restoration of the original Jacobean walled garden; while plans for the future restoration of Galgorm Castle itself are being advanced.

Mark H Durkan said: “This is a real boost for Ballymena. It will attract businesses and therefore jobs to the area – both local and international, as well as creating jobs during the development and construction phases.

“What I and DOE are about is creating a better environment and a stronger economy. This development is a key piece of a jigsaw that is all coming together to revitalise this historic estate whilst bringing significant economic benefits to the local area.”

Welcoming the news, MLA David McIlveen said: “I am delighted that the Minister has approved planning for this exciting new development. The entire Galgorm Castle Estate is a real draw for the Ballymena area. With the outstanding beauty of the old castle buildings, the picturesque scenery of the championship golf course and both the existing and new developments, the Estate is becoming a real force to be reckoned with.

“This decision can only be good news for the Ballymena area as a whole. The existing office provision has attracted some exciting businesses to the borough and I look forward to seeing what this new development will bring.

“I would like to commend all those involved with the project to date on their vision and drive to see the Estate develop into such the real attraction it has become. The Minister and Department deserve credit for the expeditious turn around of this application and I look forward to them following this precedent in future local business applications.”