100 Hectares of Employment Land Ready for Investment in Antrim Newtownabbey as ‘Call for Sites’ Exercise Opens.
Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough Council has today launched its new investment proposition for the Antrim Newtownabbey region at an Investment Showcase event held at the Houses of Parliament in London. The event hosted by the three local MPs in the area Robin Swann, Sammy Wilson and John Finucane was attended by over 120 investors, partners and stakeholders. The event comes at a pivotal moment with several transformative developments underway in the region, positioning Antrim Newtownabbey as a uniquely compelling investment location.
The investment proposition branded ‘Antrim Newtownabbey: AN Investment that delivers’ has its sights firmly set on key growth sectors such as advanced manufacturing, logistics and supply chain management, aerospace, and health and life sciences. At the event, the Council confirmed that, in addition to the 100 hectares of employment land currently accessible and available for development, additional land will be released through the Local Development Plan process, further strengthening the Borough’s investment proposition. This will be underpinned by the responses received to the Council’s ‘Call for Sites’ which is now live and will run until February. Landowners and other stakeholders are invited to submit land for consideration for economic and residential uses in suitable locations across the Borough.
Attendees heard contributions from junior Ministers Joanne Bunting and Aisling Reilly from The Executive Office, British Business Bank, Belfast International Airport, the Advanced Manufacturing Innovation Centre (AMIC), MIVAN and the Council’s own investment team. Investors learned more about Northern Ireland’s unique ‘dual market’ access to both the European Union and GB markets, offering manufacturing businesses a competitive advantage that no other region in the world can - the ability to move goods freely to both GB and European Union markets. Attendees were also introduced to the £100 million Advanced Manufacturing Innovation Centre (AMIC), set to open in spring 2026. Positioned at the heart of Antrim Newtownabbey’s investment ecosystem, this flagship project will drive regional growth through collaboration and innovation clustering like never before.
Speaking at the event, The Mayor of Antrim and Newtownabbey, Councillor Leah Kirkpatrick, said:
“Our investment proposition in Antrim Newtownabbey has never been more compelling. We are delighted to invite investors and partners to join with us in a new and exciting economic success story taking shape in our region. With unique ‘dual market’ access, significantly lower operating costs, an industrial rates reduction for qualifying manufacturing businesses, major strategic investments in advanced manufacturing and infrastructure, prime development locations, and unrivalled market and transport access, there’s never been a better time to invest here.”
Chair of the Economic Development Committee, Councillor Ben Mallon added: “Our message and commitment to investors is clear: whether you are investing with us for the first time, relocating to the area or expanding an existing business, you can trust us to stand alongside you to tackle challenges, seize opportunities, and turn ideas into results. In Antrim Newtownabbey, investors benefit from a proven track record of successful investment delivery combined with a hands-on, ‘can-do’, approach to support them. We are known for going further and faster to support our investors, and we are extremely proud of that fact.”
At the event the Council also launched a new bespoke investment website https://investantrimnewtownabbey.com/ and a supporting brochure to highlight the Borough’s new investment focus. Together, they provide further information on the investment proposition, available development opportunities, and the range of investment support the Council offers.
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