Public consultation underway on proposed Home Bargains store in Antrim

CGI of proposed new Home Bargains store in Antrim

Residents are being invited to have their say on plans for a new Home Bargains store in Antrim, as a formal community consultation process gets underway ahead of a planning application.

Developers behind the proposal have launched a Pre-Application Community Consultation (PACC) on plans to redevelop the former Townparks car showroom site on Ballymena Road, just southeast of the Springfarm Roundabout.

The consultation allows members of the public and local stakeholders to review the indicative proposals and submit feedback before a full planning application is lodged with Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough Council.

The feedback period will remain open until 5pm on Friday 10 April 2026.

Plans for new retail store

Proposed site plan under consultation for new Home Bargains store in Antrim

The proposal centres on the redevelopment of the former Townparks car showroom site, located roughly one kilometre north of Antrim town centre on Ballymena Road.

Under the plans, the existing building would be demolished and replaced with a modern single-storey Home Bargains store designed to serve residents and workers in the surrounding area.

The proposed retail building would provide approximately 2,230 square metres of gross floor space and would sit broadly in the same position as the current structure, fronting onto Ballymena Road.

The site itself extends to around 0.9 hectares, with approximately 114 metres of road frontage and a depth of about 80 metres.

Located on the edge of Springfarm Industrial Estate, the site is bordered by industrial premises to the north and northeast, while residential properties are situated nearby along Springfarm Road and across Ballymena Road.

Parking, access and site layout

CGI of proposed new Home Bargains store in Antrim

The development would include a range of supporting infrastructure designed to accommodate customers and deliveries.

Plans outline:

• Approximately 117 car parking spaces, including six accessible bays

• Cycle parking facilities

• A service yard to the rear of the store

• Three pedestrian routes providing safe access to the site

• Landscaping and a buffer along the site boundary

Developers say these features aim to ensure the store integrates safely and effectively with the surrounding road network and neighbouring properties.

Jobs and investment

If approved, the project would represent a significant investment in the area.

Developers estimate the scheme could deliver:

• Around 50–60 retail jobs when the store opens

• Approximately 80–100 construction jobs during the building phase

• Capital investment of about £8 million in the local economy

Home Bargains, operated by TJ Morris Ltd, is a family-owned national retailer with stores across the UK and an expanding presence in Northern Ireland.

The stores typically stock a wide range of products, including health and beauty items, household goods, food, toys and branded consumer products.

Consultation process

The consultation is intended to give residents the opportunity to review the proposals and provide feedback before the plans are finalised.

Developers say comments received during the consultation will be reviewed by the design team and may help shape the final scheme.

A Pre-Application Community Consultation Report will then be prepared, summarising the feedback received, responses from the project team and any changes made to the proposals.

This report will form part of the full planning application submission to Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough Council.

Members of the public who wish to discuss the plans or submit feedback can contact the project team during office hours.

At a glance

• Public consultation launched on plans for a new Home Bargains store in Antrim

• Proposal relates to the former Townparks car showroom site on Ballymena Road

• Development would include a 2,230 sqm retail store

• Plans include 117 parking spaces, cycle parking and landscaping

• Estimated 50–60 retail jobs when the store opens

• 80–100 construction jobs expected during development

• £8 million investment projected for the local economy

• Feedback period closes 10 April 2026