Planning approval for the £100m regeneration of the former Barbour Threads Textiles Factory in Lisburn, Co Down has been granted.

Making the announcement, Northern Ireland Environment Minister, Edwin Poots said: "Although it was a sad day when the Barbour Factory was closed down, this ambitious and innovative scheme represents a £100million investment which will provide a real boost for the local economy and generate in the region of 300 jobs.

"This is welcome news for the greater Lisburn area and marks the beginning of a new era for Hilden Mill.

"The project will see the restoration of listed buildings which have strong historic ties for Lisburn and improved linkages to the River Lagan, giving wider public use with improved amenities."

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The regeneration scheme will transform the former textiles factory, providing 600 new homes, offices and light industrial units.

The plans also include a leisure complex with a museum focusing on the history of the linen industry, a riverside bar/restaurant, a gym, crèche, café and space for retail opportunities. The existing canal and river bridges will also be restored/replaced.

Clyde Shanks of Turley Associates who led the development team for Hilden Developments NI added: "We are delighted that planning permission has now been secured.

"It moves the exciting vision of transforming the site into a dynamic riverside quarter for this historical area into a phase of implementation and making it happen.

"The development will put vitality back into the area and provide an excellent modern living and working environment that will reflect the historical importance of the site yet inject an exciting new future."

(NS/BMcc)