A brand new £150m drinks canning manufacturing unit in Newtownabbey that can create round 200 new jobs has been given planning permission.
Ardagh Steel Packaging (AMP) has acquired the go-ahead to construct the 42,585 sq. meter facility at Make investments NI’s International Level Enterprise Park.
The corporate goal to make use of the plant to keep up provide to key clients like Diageo and Coca Cola and meet demand for a rising buyer base in Eire, the UK and Europe.
Roughly 160 jobs shall be created on web site on the manufacturing facility, whereas one other 30 oblique jobs shall be created for suppliers and enterprise on the web site.
AMP first revealed its intention to construct a manufacturing unit on the web site in November 2021, with planning permission granted by Antrim and Newtownabbey Council at a gathering final evening.
David Spratt, CEO of AMP Europe, stated the relative ease of the planning course of had made selecting Newtownabbey a gorgeous choice.
“We're delighted to be granted planning permission to ship a brand new modern manufacturing facility in Newtownabbey and progress nearer to the creation of practically 200 new jobs for the native employment market while additionally supporting round financial system development,” he stated.
“We admire the wonderful help from the council and the constructive engagement with the area people.”
AMP is listed on the New York Inventory Alternate and is 75% owned by Ardagh Group, a world packaging group that has its origins in glass manufacturing in Dublin within the Nineteen Thirties.
The corporate stated a concentrate on utilizing steel cans contribute to round financial system, by utilizing a big quantity of recycled content material to fulfill sustainability targets.
Stephen Ross, Mayor of Antrim and Newtownabbey, stated the planning approval information had now cemented the borough’s popularity as “an financial stronghold”.
“This £150m announcement represents the boldness buyers have within the space,” he stated.
“The financial significance of this growth and the advantages it should convey not simply to Antrim and Newtownabbey, however to the entire of Northern Eire, can't be overstated.
“The Ardagh facility is a part of a high-quality portfolio of producing initiatives deliberate for make investments NI’s International Level Enterprise Park in Newtownabbey.
“With different main initiatives within the pipeline, such because the Belfast Area Metropolis Deal Queen’s College Superior Manufacturing Innovation Centre (AMIC) and the Sensata Know-how Centre, this extremely fascinating web site is quick turning into a hub of producing excellence.”
He additionally pointed to the latest approval of a £4m metal manufacturing facility for Metal Mac Distribution (SMD) Ltd, and stated the council was now “nicely on observe” to fulfill a goal of £1bn of funding to create 2,000 jobs by 2025.
The planning approval was granted following a interval of pre-application group session and engagement with the council and Make investments NI.
In keeping with the council, the granting of planning permission in simply over 18 weeks bolstered its place as the highest council for planning and a major funding location for main initiatives.
The council stated latest figures from the Division for Infrastructure (DfI) confirmed that Antrim and Newtownabbey remained the one council in Northern Eire that was inside the 30 weeks goal for main planning purposes. This consists of approval for a brand new £10m Dobbies flagship retailer on the Junction in Antrim, which was processed in beneath 25 weeks.