Plans have been approved for a £3 million project to bring natural gas to Whitehead in Co Antrim.

Having secured the green light from the Utility Regulator, Phoenix Natural Gas will start work later this year to bring natural gas to around 2,250 commercial and domestic properties in the town.

The DUP's East Antrim MP, Sammy Wilson, said: "This is an issue for which I had lobbied Phoenix Gas and the regulator in respect of for many years and am pleased that approval has been given to undertake the investment which will mean that 2,250 domestic and commercial customers within Whitehead will have the potential to be connected to a natural gas supply.

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"The capital investment will be in the area of £3million and Phoenix have indicated that by 2019 properties should be able to be connected to the gas supply.

"There is still work to be done in connecting houses in some areas of Carrickfergus which have currently been bypassed by the gas pipeline and this is an issue I will continue to press with Phoenix and the Utility Regulator."

Phoenix Natural Gas stated: "We are pleased that the project has received such strong support from local stakeholders and it's great to see demand for natural gas in the area.

"Ultimately, this project will offer customers greater fuel choice and improve the utility infrastructure of the area.

"We look forward to getting the project underway and making connections with the community as we bring natural gas to this new area."

(LM/MH)