New £18m DHL warehouse expected to create 80 jobs at Newtownabbey business park following planning approval
Planning permission was granted for a proposed new £18m DHL premises at Ballyearl Business Park at Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough Council’s Planning Committee on Monday.
The proposal is for the erection of a storage and distribution warehouse building with ancillary facilities, office space, internal chiller unit, solar panels and external yard, including HGV and car parking, landscaping and infrastructure works.
Access is proposed from an established entrance into Ballyearl Business Park at Houston’s Corner, Newtownabbey.
A planning officer told the meeting it was considered the proposal would represent a “significant contribution to the regional economy”.
The officer explained expansion is not considered to be possible at DHL’s site in Mallusk. She indicated 200 jobs would be transferring to the proposed site at Ballyearl with a further 80 full-time jobs anticipated.
A committee report said: “DHL is a global logistics company with DHL Supply Chain operating an existing multi-user retail distribution centre currently located at Mallusk, Newtownabbey.
“The Mallusk site employs over 200 staff members, contributing to a total workforce of more than 700 across Northern Ireland.
“DHL Supply Chain, at Mallusk, provides logistics and customs services for a range of clients, including Marks & Spencer, Co-op Wholesale, Iceland, Alliance Healthcare, JD Wetherspoon, B&Q, Next, Dunelm, Tesco, Sainsbury’s, and TK Maxx.
“DHL facilitates deliveries to more than 600 store locations throughout Northern Ireland, completing 143,000 deliveries each year and delivering a total of 1,030,000 pallets and cages annually.”
The officer added the principle of development at the proposed location is “considered acceptable and would not create any detrimental impact on the rural character or neighbouring properties”. There were no objections.
The committee report noted permission was granted in March for DHL Express to operate at Houston Business Park, Newtownabbey. The proposed facility comprising of three storage and distribution units is expected to result in the creation of 150 jobs.
Grainne Rice, planning agent, said the current proposal involves the developer JH Turkington & Sons Ltd and DHL, tenant and operator.
She told the committee DHL has secured new business which must be operational by June 2027. She stated it would represent an investment of £18m in the local economy, 100 construction jobs and secure more than 200 full-time roles.
Permission was granted after nine members voted unanimously to approve the application.
Michelle Weir, Local Democracy Reporter