Approval granted for ?23m mixed use scheme in Lisburn

A £23 million redevelopment scheme on a former animal feed mill plant at Moira Road in Lisburn has been recommended for approval by Lisburn & Castlereagh City Council’s planning committee.

The application by Holywood-based Lacuna Developments proposes residential and business accommodation as well as other facilities such as car/cycle parking and landscaping.

There will also be improved infrastructure and access arrangements from the Moira Road.

Once built, 38 houses and 53 apartments will provide accommodation for around 220 people and will help meet a critical sing need.

In addition, six business units and three flexible workspaces will accommodate around 55 jobs on-site.

The developer anticipates that a further 25 posts in business and employment will be supported by resident expenditure.

Also part of the proposals are two takeaway coffee pod units; private, communal and public space; ramped access and stairs; NIE substations and associated site works.

Alderman Martin Gregg, chair of the council’s planning committee, said: “This 3.5 hectare site at 160 Moira Road has been vacant for nearly 10 years and previously housed an animal feed mill.

“These are exciting plans and the committee is delighted to see the co-location of housing and businesses which will bring new employment opportunities and better public transport connections for commuters.”

Anthony Best, managing director at Lacuna Developments commented: “This will be the first of this type of development in the city.

“It will create a unique opportunity to link this side of Lisburn to the new Lisburn West rail halt which will provide thousands of people within a mile radius access to public transport.”

Demolition of the former mill buildings on the site is expected to take place after the summer, with construction work scheduled to start in later this year.