Antrim and Newtownabbey leads the way with positive planning

Statistics released by the Department for Infrastructure show that Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough Council met all the statutory performance targets for planning in 2019/20 – one of only two councils to achieve such success and the second year running that the council has met the targets laid down by the NI Assembly.

The council determined over 80 per cent of local development schemes across the borough in under 15 weeks against a Northern Ireland average of 54 per cent.

For the fourth consecutive year, the council ranked first in dealing with planning enforcement cases and also maintained its strong performance on major planning applications ranking second amongst all councils in processing times for large scale and significant development proposals.

Welcoming the success, Ald Phillip Brett, Chair of the council’s Planning Committee said: “The council’s number one strategic priority is growing the economy, and good planning helps us fulfil this ambition without compromising the quality of our environment.

“We are fortunate to be a place of economic opportunity, a key feature that is recognised in our draft Plan Strategy published in 2019. Excellent communications links, a strong portfolio of employment sites and access to high speed digital communications attracts investors to our borough, but a speedy and efficient planning process is also an important factor.

“During the current uncertain times efficient planning assists economic recovery delivering not only construction jobs, but much needed full-time employment across the borough.”

Amongst the major investment applications successfully delivered on time during the year were a distribution and logistics depot on the Doagh Road, Newtownabbey as well several commercial schemes forming part of ongoing development proposals at the Junction in Antrim and at the Abbey Centre, including the recently approved Airtastic facility proposed for the vacant Toys R Us premises.

New tourist accommodation was also given the green light at both the Ramble Inn and the Five Corners Guest Inn. It is estimated that these schemes alone will deliver some £10 million of investment into the borough.

In addition, several significant housing schemes were approved this year, including proposals at New Mossley and Rathfern that will greatly assist in meeting social housing needs in these areas.

Ald Brett added: “I congratulate both the Members of the Committee and our hard working staff, who continue to set the standard when it comes to planning performance.

“Working collaboratively, we have excelled in delivering positive planning outcomes and we continue to bring forward improvements to the planning process.”

--

A message from the Editor:

Thank you for reading this story on our website. While I have your attention, I also have an important request to make of you.

In order for us to continue to provide high quality and trusted local news on this free-to-read site, I am asking you to also please purchase a copy of our newspaper whenever you are able to do so.

Our journalists are highly trained and our content is independently regulated by IPSO to some of the most rigorous standards in the world. But being your eyes and ears comes at a price. So we need your support more than ever to buy our newspapers during this crisis.

With the coronavirus lockdown having a major impact on many of our local valued advertisers - and consequently the advertising that we receive - we are more reliant than ever on you helping us to provide you with news and information by buying a copy of our newspaper when you can safely.

You can also enjoy unlimited access to the best news from across Northern Ireland and the UK by subscribing to newsletter.co.uk

With a digital subscription, you can read more than five articles, see fewer ads, enjoy faster load times, and get access to exclusive newsletters and content. Visit https://www.newsletter.co.uk/subscriptions now to sign up.

Thank you.