Projects

Securing large-scale logistics approval for the local food sector

Our role

• We provided Planning consultancy services for our client Heron Bros, to secure planning permission for a 23,200 sq m storage and distribution facility for a food wholesaler.
• The development was required to facilitate food storage and distribution and to support the wider food retail and hospitality supply chain within Northern Ireland. Nutts Corner was identified as an ideally central location to achieve this. 
• Our Economics team provided a bespoke appraisal of measurable benefits of the project including an analysis of employment generation in the local area.
• Our Strategic Communications team managed the community consultation process and liaised with elected representatives to gauge and shore up support for the significant investment in the borough.

Results

• Our Planning and Strategic Communications teams worked closely and proactively with Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough Council to secure the grant of planning permission at planning committee within 17 weeks from submission of the application.
• There was a tight deadline to secure planning permission to enable the delivery of the facility on site, which was successfully met. 
• The project will unlock a significant increase in storage and distribution capacity for food wholesaling on an ideally located site.
• Quality landscaping and design ensure that this is a large scale development which is appropriate to its context.
• We also secured advertisement consent for the building signage.