A series of improvements to the Glengormley area are set to give life to the town for years to come, with increased housing, more attractive shops, and better to traffic flow planned.
Councillors in the area have said these improvements show they're dedicated to regenerating the town, to make it a vibrant area full of modern flexible workspaces, better pedestrian and vehicle connections, and enhanced public realm.
They're hoping this will make it a more attractive place to work, visit, socialise, and live.
Read more: Plans to 'unify and modernise' Glengormley storefronts given the green light
Local councillors Michael Goodman and Rosie Kinnear joined Belfast Live for a walk around some of the sites that have been approved by Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough Council in recent months.
These include the renovation of shopfronts at the Glenwell Road, the regeneration of the old police station into a modern office complex, enhanced public realm works to include flower planting, and new housing and retail units at the junction between the Antrim and Ballyclare Roads.
There will also be a new dedicated right turning lane close to Tim Horton's turning into the Glenwell Road. It's hoped this will enable the free flow of traffic on the Antrim Road and help ease congestion.
To coincide with the regeneration of Glenwell commercial units, there will also be a trial of a new one way system past these shops and the McDonald's area, to help with traffic flow whilst allowing better access for pedestrians, prams and mobility aids.
Councillor Rosie Kinnear was born and raised in the Glengormley area. She said the town is already a fantastic place to live and raise a family; being close to Belfast but having its own character.
She said the upcoming improvements planned for the town will only heighten this, and ensure residents have everything they need on their doorstep, as well as making it a destination spot for visitors who may have previously just driven through.
“I was delighted to vote to approve the application for planning permission to renovate the facade of the businesses at the Movie House Complex," Cllr Kinnear said.
"It will be a great improvement to unify and modernise the area, which is part of a larger investment underway in Glengormley from the Council.
"It comes as part of a series of works that will see new first class facilities at the old police station site, increased parking, flower planting and road works to allow easier access to the brilliant food, retail and leisure facilities that make Glengormley so special.
"This will also go a long way in helping local residents with the on-going issues they have been facing in relation to traffic and parking in the area.
"Glengormley is already a wonderful place to live, work and raise a family in – I’m excited to see what’s next.”
There are approximately 20,000 people currently living in the Glengormley area, however, the demand for housing in the area is high. In the wider North Belfast area, there are around 3,000 people on the housing waiting list.
As a result, a key factor for local politicians is to bring more social housing into the areas they represent.
Councillor Michael Goodman said plans for more housing in the town is welcomed, and said he hopes this will help tackle huge waiting lists.
Cllr Goodman added: "There has been a growing demand for housing in Glengormley for many years and it just continues to grow.
"There is a need for Northern Ireland Housing Executive to acquire sufficient sites to meet that demand and to ensure that Antrim and Newtownabbey Council, housing providers and the Housing Executive work together to ensure that not just housing but the necessary amenities are included in future development plans."
The recent boosts in investment for Glengormley town centre is part of the Council's plans to attract £1 billion investment and create 2,000 jobs for the borough by 2025.
Speaking of the recent works announced at Glenwell, Mayor of Antrim and Newtownabbey Alderman Stephen Ross said: “These improvements works will provide a massive boost for Glengormley town centre by creating a more visually attractive and welcoming environment for shoppers and residents to enjoy.
“This combined with other regeneration projects which include the public realm scheme and planned improvements to traffic flow, will help improve connectivity, encourage people to stay in the town centre longer and will ultimately lead to major benefits for businesses and retailers."
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