News

Planning approval for new distribution facility at Nutts Corner, County Antrim

Acting for Heron Bros on behalf of Sysco Ireland, Turley has secured planning permission from Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough Council’s Planning Committee for a new state-of-the-art distribution facility at Nutts Corner, County Antrim.

We provided Planning, Strategic Communications and Economics services for the  development, which forms part of a £23m investment by Sysco Ireland into their Northern Ireland operation which it aims to double in the next five years. This project will contribute to Sysco’s wider growth strategy, which has helped to establish the business as the leading foodservice provider on the island of Ireland.

When complete the new facility will create 90 additional jobs taking the company’s workforce in Northern Ireland to 230.

We secured approval for the project in under four months. 

Senior Consultant, Nick Salt said:

“We are delighted to have secured permission in just 17 weeks on behalf of Heron Bros for Sysco Ireland’s new facility. It illustrates what can be achieved through close co-operation between the planning authority, applicant and design team.

“As the planning agent we are grateful for the support of the application from the planning committee, local elected representatives, planning officers and the leadership team of Antrim and Newtownabbey Council.”

Welcoming the decision by the planning committee, Mark Lee, CEO of Sysco Ireland said:

“We welcome the decision by Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough Council Planning Committee to approve the development of our new distribution facility at Nutts Corner. This infrastructure is critical to the company’s growth in Northern Ireland and we are delighted that we can now proceed with the development.

“Nutts Corner represents a strategically important location allowing us excellent connectivity to serve our customers and further grow our business across Northern Ireland, creating 90 new jobs in the process. The company’s decision to invest in this new facility has been driven by strong customer demand and we are excited about what the future holds.

“We want to thank our design and planning teams for their diligent work in helping to advance this through the planning system so efficiently.”

The proposals were advanced by Heron Brothers, an award-winning construction and property development company which operates throughout the UK, Ireland and Europe.

Paul Mulholland, Property Director for Heron Brothers commented:

“We are delighted to have secured planning permission for Sysco Ireland’s new 250,000 sq ft distribution centre at Nutts Corner.  The project is a great example of partnership between the local authority, Antrim & Newtownabbey Borough Council, the developer, Heron Bros and end customer, Sysco Ireland. The development combines innovative technologies designed to enhance sustainability, within a state-of-the-art storage and distribution centre at a key gateway location. We look forward to the development commencing, which will bring around 200 construction jobs and apprenticeships to the Antrim area, alongside the long-term employment that the new distribution centre will provide.”

20 April 2023