Minister approves Northcott’s £35million redevelopment plans
Published on Wed, 9 Dec 2009
Environment Minister, Edwin Poots today gave the go-ahead for plans to redevelop Northcott Shopping Centre in Glengormley.
The £35 million regeneration plan will construct a brand new retail outlet, which will be known as Sandyknowes Shopping Centre. It will include a food superstore, café and 12 mall units, together with a petrol filling station on the current Northcott site. The current retail provision, in particular Tesco’s, will remain in an expanded facility.
Making the announcement Minister Poots said: This major investment will provide 250 construction jobs which is welcome news for the construction industry. Upon completion it will also provide up to 200 permanent retail jobs which will generate £5 million in wages annually.
The proposal represents a high quality modern development for the area, replacing the current centre which, although of its time, is now somewhat run down and in need of redress.”
The Minister stressed that the Planning Service will support the future economic development needs of Northern Ireland by making decisions on applications such as this in a timely manner.
He added: "I am pleased to say that with the benefit of pre-application discussions this major planning application was turned around within 5 months by the Strategic Projects Team which is a great achievement. I am determined to ensure that such achievements become more common practice throughout the Planning Service.”
Keith Shiells, partner BTWShiells, Agent for Blanca Developments, welcomed the Department's decision in granting planning permission, particularly in the current difficult economic environment. He said: To achieve planning permission within such a relatively short period of time was a good result for the developer, and reflected considerable co-operation and consultation involving not only the developer and the Department, but also the local community whose views were very much taken on board from the outset.”
Stephen Cochrane, Store Director for Tesco, said: We are extremely pleased that this store, which will bring with it up to 200 high-quality, flexible jobs for Glengormley, has been given approval. This development represents a substantial financial investment for Tesco in the Newtownabbey borough.”
NOTES TO EDITORS
1.The application was submitted on 1 July 2009 by Blanca Developments accompanied by a retail impact assessment, traffic statement and noise assessment. Blanca Developments initiated the application in December 2008 and engaged in the Pre-Application Discussion process in March 2009.
2.It was designated as a major application under Article 31 of the Planning (NI) Order 1991 on 20 July 2009, and the application approved on 1 December 2009.
3.The proposal involves the demolition of the existing centre with the erection of a new shopping centre with surface car parking to accommodate 840 cars. It will include a Tesco Store along side 12 open class retail units, a Tesco café and a petrol filling station.
4.For media enquiries contact DOE Press Office tel. 028 9054 0003 or out of office hours call the EIS Duty Press Officer on 07699 715440 and your call will be returned.
