Lisburn & Castlereagh City Council's Planning Committee has given Lagmar Properties' £36 million development on the former Rolls Royce Factory site in Dundonald the green light.

The proposals include 95 new homes on the Carrowreagh Road which will be a mix of detached and semi-detached dwellings. Of the new dwellings, 20 per cent will be earmarked for affordable housing. Amenities will include car and bike parking, public open spaces and landscaping.

A vibrant economic centre forms part of the overall plans comprising of 31 business units (approximately 4,400 square metres of floorspace), light industrial and other business use designed to be merged to create larger units if required. These will provide opportunities for businesses to grow and expand beyond the start-up phase.

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During the three year construction period a total of 110 full-time jobs will be created. Longer term, 85 further full-time jobs will be created within the industrial and business space.

This major development will transform a site which has been vacant and derelict for more than 16 years. The site was formerly the home of the Rolls Royce factory, which made parts for aircraft engines from 1966 to 1977. After this, the Dundonald site was used by TK-ECC for the manufacture of car components, including seatbelts, but its operations closed in 2004.

The Planning Committee approved the application with a single amendment: incorporating extra internal linkages. This adjustment aims to enhance the local area by introducing new residential and workspace options. Once finished, this three-phase project will complement the already thriving community activities in the vicinity.

Construction work on the new development is expected to begin in March.