Northcott Redevelopment Gets Planning Approval

The minister responsible for planning, Edwin Poots, has given the go-ahead for plans to redevelop Northcott shopping centre in Glengormley.

The £35m regeneration plan will knock down the existing centre and construct a new retail outlet called Sandyknowes Shopping Centre.

The new outlet will include a food superstore, cafe, 12 mall units, a petrol station and space for 840 cars.

The project is expected to create 250 construction jobs and 200 retail jobs.

The shops which are currently on site, including Tesco, will move to the new centre.

Mr Poots said the development would provide an economic boost to the area.

"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," he said.

He added that he was pleased the application which was submitted on July 1 was approved so quickly because of "pre-application discussions".

"I am determined to ensure that such achievements become more common practice throughout the planning service," the minister added.

Keith Shiells, the agent for Blanca Developments who will build the centre, also welcomed the speed of the approval and said the local community's views had been taken on board from the outset.

Blanca Developments is a low-profile company currently listed as based in Cloughmills, County Antrim.

Its directors and shareholders have interests in a number of other retail developments across Northern Ireland including the Buttercrane in Newry and Foyleside in Londonderry.