Around 30 construction jobs are to be created after plans for a new £2.5 million retail and fuel forecourt adjacent to Belfast International Airport were approved.

Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough Council gave the green light to the project which will create 35 new jobs when the development is complete.

The new Airport Road facility is scheduled to open in Spring of next year.

Dunadry-based Moorefield Contracts Ltd will build a 10,500 sq ft retail outlet which will encompass a High Street food retailer, sandwich bar, coffee kiosk, hot food drive thru, children's play area and forecourt with 16 fuelling bays.

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Canice Mallaghan from Moorefield Contracts said: "We are delighted with the unanimous decision by the Council in support of our application. Our £2.5 million project mirrors the confidence that's evident at the airport which is enjoying unprecedented passenger growth. It's also a clear vote of confidence in South Antrim and, clearly, the Council has bought into our vision.

"The thirty-five permanent jobs will inject more than half a million pounds in wages annually into the local economy. We are engaged in positive discussions with a number of potential retail operators and expect to successfully conclude our negotiations within a matter of weeks."

(CD/JP)