Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough Council - Neighbourhood Retailer

Ardagh Group gets go ahead for Newtownabbey drinks can factory

Linda Stewart — Tue, 16 Aug 2022 13:04:45 +0000

Planning permission has been granted for the construction of a major new factory in Newtownabbey.

The Ardagh Group will make drinks cans at the £150m facility to be built at the Global Point business park in County Antrim.

Permission was agreed by Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough Council’s planning committee.

Ardagh first revealed its intention to build the factory in November 2021 and hope to have it operating next year.

Mayor Alderman Stephen Ross said it was an important milestone for the project.

“The economic importance of this development and the benefits it will bring not just to Antrim and Newtownabbey, but to the whole of Northern Ireland, cannot be overstated,” he added.

“The Ardagh facility is part of a high-quality portfolio of manufacturing projects planned for invest NI’s Global Point facility.”

Ardagh is based in Luxembourg but the company has Irish roots.

The initiative in Newtownabbey is part of a multi-billion dollar investment by the company, involving the construction of new, recyclable metal packaging capacity in Europe, North America and Brazil.

David Spratt, chief executive of Ardagh Metal Packaging Europe, said they appreciated the support they had from the council in progressing the development.

“We are delighted to be granted planning permission to deliver a new, innovative manufacturing facility in Newtownabbey and progress closer to the creation of nearly 200 new jobs for the local employment market whilst also supporting circular economy growth,” he said.

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Foodservice giant Sysco Ireland reveals £23m expansion plans

Linda Stewart — Tue, 02 Aug 2022 09:34:52 +0000

Foodservice provider Sysco Ireland has unveiled plans to double the size of its Northern Ireland operation within five years as part of an ambitious growth strategy.

The company is investing £23million in the proposed development of a state of the art distribution facility at Nutt’s Corner, County Antrim.

Once completed, the new facility is expected to create 90 new jobs, taking Sysco’s workforce in Northern Ireland to 230.

Mark Lee, CEO of Sysco Ireland, said the new plans have been ‘driven by strong customer demand in Northern Ireland’.

“The project forms part of Sysco’s wider growth strategy, which with continued investment in our offering, innovation and people, has helped to establish the business as the leading foodservice provider on the island of Ireland,” he said.

“The investment in the new facility, which is subject to planning approval, has been driven by strong customer demand in Northern Ireland.

“We are excited by the opportunities that our proposed new site will deliver for our ambition to grow in Northern Ireland, supporting investment and innovation in the sector and local job creation.

“Sustainability is also a key consideration in the development plans, with the design incorporating solar panels on the roof, rainwater harvesting and advanced heat pump technology.

“We are committed to providing electric vehicle chargers for both staff and fleet vehicles.”

The proposals are currently being advanced by Heron Brothers, an award-winning construction and property development company which operates throughout the UK, Ireland and Europe.

Paul Mulholland, property director at Heron Bros, explained how the project was a great example of traditional values with an advanced, innovative approach to construction.

“We are delighted to bring forward these exciting proposals at Nutt’s Corner, which promises to bring great benefits to the local area,” he said.

“Heron Bros prides itself on how we have been able to combine our traditional values with an advanced, innovative approach to construction. This project is a great example of this, combining innovative technologies designed to enhance sustainability, within a state-of-the-art storage and distribution centre.”

Prior to the submission of a planning application to Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough Council, a pre-application community consultation will take place, with a public exhibition on Tuesday, August 9 from 3-8pm at Maldon Hotel, Belfast International Airport.

A consultation website will also launch today (Tuesday, August 2) at www.heronbrosconsultation.co.uk.

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Drinks giant Diageo lodges plans for major extension

Linda Stewart — Wed, 22 Jun 2022 09:51:34 +0000

Drinks giant Diageo has confirmed plans for a major extension on a 17-acre site at its operation in Mallusk.

The owner Bailey’s and Guinness has lodged a proposal of application notice with Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough Council ahead of a community consultation.

The extension at the Enterprise Way plant is planned to “support production demand”, the notice states.

It is the second major development announced by Diageo in recent weeks.

In April, the company reported a £24.5m investment to expand capacity at its packaging facility in Belfast which is set to double its canning production through a new state-of-the-art packaging line capable of producing 72,000 cans per hour.

In Newtownabbey, the proposed development will include additional warehouse capacity, staff facilities and associated plant equipment as well as increased staff car parking, trailer bays, external lighting and landscaping.

A spokesperson for Diageo said: “Diageo is looking at the opportunity to extend its warehousing facilities at its Baileys Global Supply site at Mallusk.

“The facility’s warehousing is currently at capacity and requires the development of new storage to support demand and avoid bottlenecking in production.

“As part of the plans, Diageo will be conducting a comprehensive community consultation in advance of the submission of any application.”

Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough Council said: “The council has received a pre-application notice (PAN) for a large scale investment proposal from Diageo Baileys Global Supply to extend their existing facility at Mallusk.

“The applicant is currently undertaking community consultation in advance of submitting their planning application.”

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