ANTRIM and Newtownabbey Borough Council is the only council in the north to meet major planning application target of 30 weeks, getting projects through the system at an average of 25.1 weeks, according to Department for Infrastructure (DfI) statistics.
It also meets the target of 15 weeks for local applications, with an average time of 13.2 weeks, and it has also attracted the largest increase in applications at 24.2 per cent.
Since planning powers were transferred to Councils in 2015, Antrim and Newtownabbey has consistently outperformed targets, with data shows.
The recent announcement of planning approval for the new £10 million Dobbies flagship store at the Junction in Antrim reflects this - it was processed in less than 25 weeks.
The borough, which is already recognised for its strong commercial base and attractive investment location, has attracted a number of regionally significant announcements at Global Point in Newtownabbey.
Working closely with Invest NI, the council has also secured interest from Ardagh Metal Packaging (AMP) and Sensata Technologies.
Added to this is the £90m investment through the Belfast Region City Deal for the Queen's University Advanced Manufacturing Innovation Centre (AMIC), which the council says demonstrates “significant confidence” in its efficient planning service.
Antrim and Newtownabbey maypr Stephen Ross said: “I'm delighted our planning team has again come out on top as the only council in Northern Ireland to exceed its targets.
“The Council provides a complete package of support to investors and our prime location and suitably zoned sites are central to our investment proposition. As a result we are well on track to attract over £1 billion of investment and create 2000 jobs by 2025.”
