A massive housing development in Lisburn is being relaunched

A ‘pre-application notice’ is expected to be presented to council decision makers for the massive development at Blaris.

A previous application for 1,300 homes was approved by Lisburn and Castlereagh City Council in March 2021. However, it was ‘called in’ by the Department for Infrastructure (DfI) and issued with a ‘notice of opinion’ to refuse the housing development.

An appeal by Lisburn and Castlereagh City Council has since been made to the planning Appeals Commission (PAC) though it is likely to be 2026 before any progress will be made on the case.

Developers, Neptune Carleton LLP spoke to the Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS), saying: “We look forward to sharing our plans for a major new mixed use development on lands at Blaris, Lisburn and to hear local views on the proposals.

“The proposals seek to substantially deliver the strategic mixed use site, a key development site within the Lisburn & Castlereagh City Council Local Development Plan, and will offer a carefully considered mix of housing, employment opportunities, and supporting infrastructure.

“The site as a whole is envisaged to deliver 1,350 new dwellings and c.2 million square feet of employment space.”

The previous plans for Blaris also faced setbacks in November 2024 when Northern Ireland Water identified the development as being at risk due to pressure on its waste-water infrastructure.

The council has outlined plans for housing growth of approximately 12,000 newbuilds in its Local Development Plan-2032, but they are subject to a consultation with Northern Ireland Water.

The details of the new outline permission being sought by Neptune Carleton LLP are due to be presented to the public next month in Lisburn. The earliest possible date for the submission of a full planning application will be the week commencing February 24, 2025.

The spokesperson for the developers added: “There is the potential within the outline planning application that is being prepared to deliver some 770,000 sq. ft of space for a variety of business and employment uses, some 1,290 new dwellings including 20% affordable housing, new local needs convenience retail and creation of an extended riverside parkland extending the current towpath through the site and allowing for walking and cycling along the Lagan Valley Regional Park corridor.

“The development will be anchored by the delivery of the M1-Knockmore Link Road, significantly improving regional connectivity and easing traffic flow in the local area.”

It is understood the developers will offer more clarity on the differing 1,350 and 1,290 figures for the number of homes planned when the consultation is launched.

A public consultation event will take place on Thursday January 23, 2025 from 4pm- 7pm at the Premier Inn on the Hillsborough Road in Lisburn.

Information relating to the proposed development will also be available to be viewed at www.clydeshanks.com/public-consultation, where an online consultation magazine will be available from Thursday January 23, 2025 for those unable to attend the in-person consultation.