A massive regeneration scheme in Co Antrim will provide 300 new jobs, it was revealed today.
Houses, offices, a leisure complex and museum looking at the history of the linen industry will be built on the site of the former textiles factory in Lisburn, Minister for Environment Edwin Poots said.
Mr Poots today announced planning approval for the £100 million scheme which will also restore the canal and river bridges.
Mr Poots said: “This is welcome news for the greater Lisburn area and marks the beginning of a new era for Hilden Mill.
“The project will see the restoration of listed buildings which have strong historic ties for Lisburn and improved linkages to the River Lagan, giving wider public use with improved amenities.”
A total of 600 new homes are expected as well as a riverside bar, gym and shops.
Clyde Shanks of Turley Associates led the development team for Hilden Developments Northern Ireland.
“We are delighted that planning permission has now been secured. It moves the exciting vision of transforming the site into a dynamic riverside quarter for this historical area into a phase of implementation and making it happen,” he said.
“The development will put vitality back into the area and provide an excellent modern living and working environment that will reflect the historical importance of the site yet inject an exciting new future," he added.
PA