£15m DHL distribution centre approved for Co Antrim with 80 new jobs

CGI of the approved new DHL distribution centre in Co Antrim.

Tuesday 25 August 2026

Plans for a new £15 million DHL distribution centre in Newtownabbey have been approved, paving the way for an overall £18 million investment in the local economy and the creation of 80 new full-time jobs.

Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough Council’s Planning Committee has given the go-ahead for the development at Ballyearl Business Park, which will provide a substantial new storage and distribution facility for DHL.

Alongside the 80 new positions, the investment will help retain 200 existing full-time roles and is expected to support a further 100 jobs during construction.

Major new facility at Ballyearl

The approved £15 million development comprises a 9,340 square metre storage and distribution facility, together with ancillary services and office accommodation.

Plans also include solar panels, an external yard, HGV and car parking, landscaping and associated infrastructure works.

The wider project represents a total investment of £18 million in the local economy and will help retain DHL Supply Chain within Antrim and Newtownabbey borough.

For the area, the significance extends beyond the construction of another commercial building: 200 existing full-time positions are expected to be retained alongside the creation of 80 additional permanent roles.

Planning approval secured in just over 16 weeks

The council has also highlighted the speed with which the major planning application progressed through the system.

Approval was secured in just over 16 weeks — considerably quicker than the 30-week average processing target cited by the council.

The decision clears a key planning hurdle for a sizeable private-sector investment in Newtownabbey and provides certainty for DHL’s continued presence and further growth within the borough.

Mayor of Antrim and Newtownabbey, Councillor Henry Cushinan, welcomed the development and its potential employment benefits.

He said:

“I welcome this major investment for Newtownabbey. This new facility will help retain DHL supply chain within the Borough while creating additional employment in both construction and distribution sectors.”

Investment reinforces distribution role

The development represents a significant addition to Ballyearl Business Park and further strengthens Newtownabbey’s established role as a location for major distribution operations.

Chairman of Antrim and Newtownabbey Planning Committee, Alderman Lewis Boyle, said:

“Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough is a prime location for distribution, this multi-million investment further underpins the Borough’s reputation as a hub for distribution excellence.”

With planning approval now secured, the £15 million facility has cleared an important stage towards delivery. The wider £18 million investment is expected to bring its most significant local benefits through the retention of 200 existing full-time jobs, the creation of 80 new permanent positions and around 100 construction jobs during the build.