Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough Council has once again been recognised as one of the top planning authorities among all Northern Ireland Councils.

According to figures released by the Department for Infrastructure (DfI), the Council processed 20 major applications over the past year, with an average processing time of 21.1 weeks. This exceptional performance has positioned Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough Council as the leading authority among the 11 Councils. Notably, only three Councils met the 30-week target, while the others averaged 46.5 weeks.

The Council's leading planning performance was reinforced as it was ranked second in processing Local Planning Applications, with an average turnaround time of 13 weeks. This is under the 15-week target and greatly exceeds the average turnaround time of 20.8 weeks across all other Councils.

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In addition to these achievements, Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough Council stands out as the only Council in Northern Ireland to exceed the Statutory Enforcement target of resolving 70 per cent of enforcement cases within 39 weeks of receiving a complaint. The Council successfully concluded 90 per cent of these cases within the target timeframe, once again securing the top position among the 11 Councils.

Chairperson of the Planning Committee, Councillor Jeannie Archibald-Brown praised the planning team for their dedication which has influenced a string of major investments in the Borough: "The figures produced by DfI are testament to the hard work and efficiency of our Planning Team and Committee."

The Mayor of Antrim and Newtownabbey Councillor Neill Kelly added: "I commend the invaluable work of the Council’s Planning Team and Committee who have helped to secure a multi-million-pound investment pipeline for the borough, creating significant job opportunities, and delivering an economic boost for the area."

Some of the major planning applications approved this year include:

• £143M Birch Hill Centre for Mental Health (27 weeks)

• £23M investment for Sysco Ireland Distribution Centre Nutts Corner (19 weeks)

• £10M investment for new Sports Village at University of Ulster Jordanstown (21 weeks)

• £8M investment for Monkstown Boxing Club (25 weeks)

• £6M investment for Montgomery Development Ltd (23 weeks)

• £5.5M investment for Premier Inn Hotel at Belfast international Airport (22 weeks)

• Expansion of Antrim Primary School (23 weeks)

• Expansion of Fairview Primary School (23 weeks)