What Was Decided at the December Planning Committee Meeting?
Key Takeaways for Local Residents
The Council’s Planning Committee met at Mossley Mill on Monday 8 December to make decisions on a wide range of developments across Antrim and Newtownabbey.
From town centre housing and retail changes to rural planning refusals and future major developments.
Here’s a clear, plain-English breakdown of what was discussed and what locals should know.
🏘️ Big Change Coming to Antrim Town Centre: Castle Mall Redevelopment Approved
One of the most significant decisions of the evening was the approval of plans to partially demolish Castle Mall and redevelop the site.
What’s been approved:
39 new social housing homes, including:
1 detached house
14 terraced homes
24 apartments
One new retail unit
Solar panels, parking, and new amenity spaces
Improved pedestrian links between Railway Street and High Street
Why this matters locally:
This is a major investment in Antrim town centre, bringing much-needed social housing, improving accessibility, and breathing new life into an underused site. Councillors voted unanimously in favour.
🎰 Adult Gaming Centre Refused at Junction Retail Park
Plans to convert a former restaurant unit at the Junction Retail & Leisure Park into an adult gaming centre / amusement arcade were refused.
Council’s concerns included:
The impact on Antrim Town Centre
Failure to show that a town centre location wasn’t suitable
Risk of harming the vitality and viability of the town centre
Local impact:
This decision reflects a clear intention to protect the town centre from losing footfall to out-of-town uses.
⛽ Aldergrove Service Station Expansion Gets the Green Light
Plans to reconfigure the service station on Airport Road, Aldergrove, including an extension to the M&S store, were approved unanimously.
What’s changing:
Larger M&S food store
Reduction from 3 food units to 2
New trolley bay and upgraded layout
Why locals care:
This should mean better facilities and more choice for people using the site, especially those travelling to and from the airport.
🚫 Several Rural Housing Applications Refused
A recurring theme during the meeting was protecting the countryside. Several applications for homes in rural locations were refused due to planning policy.
Refusals included sites near:
Crosskennan Road, Antrim
Loughbeg Road, Toomebridge
Rickamore Road Upper, Templepatrick
Laurel Lane, Belfast (farm dwelling substitution)
Common reasons for refusal:
Visual impact on open countryside
Ribbon development along rural roads
Flood risk concerns
Inadequate access or road safety issues
What this means:
The Council is continuing to take a firm stance on countryside protection, only allowing rural homes where strict criteria are met.
⚽ New Changing Pavilion Approved in Newtownabbey
Good news for local sport planning permission was granted for a new single-storey changing pavilion at Three Mile Water Playing Fields on Doagh Road.
This includes:
Changing facilities
Landscaping and fencing
Supporting local teams and community sport
🏗️ Major Developments on the Horizon (No Decisions Yet)
Two major future developments were formally noted:
🏠 213 New Homes at Former Craighill Quarry, Ballyclare
Includes social and affordable housing
Community facilities, playgrounds, and open spaces
Still at early consultation stage
⚡ Major Electricity Infrastructure Upgrade
Part of the SONI Mid-Antrim Upgrade Project
New switching substation and upgraded overhead lines
Covers parts of Antrim & Newtownabbey
Important:
These are not approvals yet they trigger public consultation, meaning locals will have a chance to have their say.
🏘️ No New HMO Policy — For Now
Councillors agreed not to introduce a new planning policy specifically for Houses in Multiple Occupation (HMOs).
Why?
Only 18 HMOs currently exist across the borough
No evidence of over-concentration
A new policy would be lengthy, costly, and delay the Local Development Plan
The situation will continue to be monitored, but no new restrictions are being brought in at this time.
🧭 Final Thoughts
This meeting showed a clear direction from the Planning Committee:
Strong support for town centre regeneration
Firm protection of rural areas
Investment in community facilities
Cautious, evidence-based planning decisions
As always, the most impactful developments are those that will shape how our towns grow and there will be more opportunities for residents to get involved as future proposals move forward.
Source: Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough Council