Planning approval for new £150m business park in Antrim with the potential for 1,200 jobs

Errigal Group’s application, which was approved by Antrim & Newtownabbey Borough Council’s Planning Committee on Monday evening, will see the development of more than 900,000 sq ft of new build warehouse and distribution space in addition to the redevelopment of existing warehouses on the site, completed with a rooftop solar farm.

The creation of the new business park, the group stated, will bring with it around 200 construction jobs over the six-year build period, and once operational and fully let, it has the potential to create upwards of 1000 jobs, generating around £46 million in wages in the local economy annually.

Cormac McCloskey, joint managing director of Errigal Group, welcomed the planning approval for the scheme. He said: “We are excited to have secured planning permission for our proposed redevelopment of Enkalon Business Park.

“Since lodging the PAN (proposal of application notice) with Antrim & Newtownabbey Borough Council in early 2023, we have been strongly encouraged by our engagement with both elected representatives and council officials regarding this incredibly significant application for the Antrim area.

Go beyond just reading the story - sign up for the Northern Ireland World newsletter

“Since acquiring the site in 2019 we have completed over £2 million of improvement works, and this planning permission will be transformational for the existing business park and the surrounding lands.

“Following the news breaking of our intentions for the business park, we have been very pleased with the interest from businesses enquiring about space at the site, and we are looking forward to these plans fully developing now we have secured planning permission.

“We express our thanks to the design team of this scheme led by TSA Planning, RPS and Alan Bennett Architects.”

Work is expected to commence on site, located adjacent to The Junction Retail and Leisure Park, in the next number of weeks.

Errigal Group is a leading construction company with a dedicated manufacturing facility in Monaghan. It also has regional offices in London, Northern Ireland and Europe. Previous projects include 22 Bishopsgate in London, the Aviva Stadium in Dublin, Battersea Power Station London and Adare Manor in Limerick.