End of an era as part demolition of Castle Mall and construction of social housing in town centre is approved

ANTRIM and Newtownabbey Borough Council’s Planning Committee has unanimously voted to approve the partial demolition of Castle Mall shopping centre and the development of 39 social housing units, including detached and terraced homes and apartments in a £7m investment.

Applicant Keneagles Ltd, which owns the Mall, is also planning a retail unit and other works including solar panels, parking and amenity spaces and works to include the upgrading of the vehicular access via Railway Street and pedestrian linkages to High Street, and all other associated site and access works.

A report before the Planning Committee of Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough Council on Monday night said that the development will cover 11-27 and 51-58 Castle Mall opposite Central Car Park, extending from Castle Walk/Railway Street to High Street.

Eleven elected representatives also voted to grant demolition consent for the relevant section of the building. There were no speakers in opposition to the plans.

A representative for the applicant said that it is hoped that the plans would result in an ‘exemplary social housing development’ which would contribute to the vitality of Antrim town and enhance footfall and retail.

Tom Stokes, agent for the applicant Daniel McConkey of Keneagles, said that the company purchased the Mall in 2021, carrying ‘a significant level of vacancy’ which was having a ‘detrimental effect on the town centre’.

He said that the firm began an investment programme, concentrating tenants in one area and trying to attract new ones, including Lynas frozen foods.

Mr Stokes said that the centre ‘does not contribute to conservation area’ and that the new proposals will boast high quality design and layout.

“The demolition and redevelopment will bring a residential population into Antrim town centre to sustain local businesses in the day and night time.”

He added that the £7m investment would be managed by Choice Housing, saying that the Housing Executive had identified the need for 311 social housing units in the Antrim area and that 690 households were in ‘housing stress’.

Mr Stokes noted that the council had formulated a series of town centre masterplans to help inform a ten-year investment plan and noted that the subject site was on land earmaked for housing.

He repeated that there was ‘urgent need’ for social housing and that ‘town centre living will enhance development’, adding that re-development would ‘bring a resident population into Antrim town centre to help sustain local businesses’.

The agent said that the Mall was the ‘wrong form of development’ and was ‘contributing negatively to the conservation area’.

He said the application would be ‘an exemplary social housing development which will contribute to the vitality and viability of Antrim town.

Ulster Unionist Councillor Robert Foster asked if the applicant was confident that a waste water solution could be agreed, and if there was an opportunity for charging points for mobility scooters.

Mr Stokes said that there had been ‘lengthy discussions with NI Water on an offsite solution’ and the applicant was confident that it was deliverable.

DUP rep Jeannie Archibald Brown said that she noted a 3m high brick wall with an accoustic effect.

“I know it is difficult balancing commercial and residential, is there no alternative to that, it sounds quite intimidating, is there nothing that could have been done to make the accoustic barriers a bit softer looking?” she said.

Alliance Alderman Tom Campbell asked about the underprovision of parking. As part of the application, 36 spaces are proposed to accommodate 39 units providing 0.92 spaces per unit. Based on DfI Parking Standards, the proposal would require 66 spaces, resulting in a shortfall of 30 spaces, approximately 55% of the required parking provision.

Mr Stokes said that the proposals included future-proofing including the provision of EV charging points.

He added that there would be planning to soften the appearance of the wall but that it was an existing structure.

On the issue of parking, Mr Stokes said that: “In terms of site location, they don’t come better than this, this is a highly sustainable site in the town centre with access to public transport.”

He noted that a three-year Translink travel card would be offered to one occupier of each apartment, and a £200 voucher towards the cost of purchasing a bicycle will be offered to each residential unit.

The report said that a Travel Co-Ordinator will provide a resident’s welcome pack to promote sustainable transport and cycle routes.

Alderman Campbell moved the recommendation to approve planning permission, seconded by Councillor Foster. All eleven reps voted for the recommendation.

The report said that the council sought further justification for the loss of retail space and documents were submitted in response.

It said: “In 2005 an extension to the shopping centre was completed, however three of the new units were never occupied, 18 years on from construction. When the shopping centre changed ownership in 2015, 20 units were vacant (approximately 52.6%).

“Additionally, a Retail Impact Assessment carried out in 2018 found that, 30 of the 148 units in Antrim were vacant, 21 of which were within the Castle Mall equating to 20.3% which is significantly higher than the national average of 11% in 2018 and can be largely attributed to the number of vacant units within Castle Mall.

“Whilst 21 units were vacant in 2018 which represented approximately 52% of the shopping centre, as of October 2025, there are only 16 operating units within Castle Mall (as detailed on Castle Mall website as of 12th November 2025), leaving over half of the units vacant (over 25 units).

“The proposal brings benefits to the area in terms of contributing to meeting social housing need, and it may increase the footfall in the town centre which would have a knock-on effect on the vibrancy and vitality of the town.

“The existing building does not make a material contribution to the character and appearance of the area and does not address the streetscape in a positive manner; whilst the proposal presents an opportunity for betterment.

“Whilst the proposal results in the loss of 22 retail units, it is considered that the numerous benefits of the proposal, outweigh the concerns of loss of retail space. The principle of development for residential use in the town centre replacing the commercial use of the existing site is considered acceptable.”