Belfast region council profiles
Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough Council
An outward looking, fast growing borough of innovation and opportunity, Antrim and Newtownabbey is attractive to new investors and expanding businesses.
Located on Belfast’s immediate periphery, with a population of approximately 145,000, it has excellent road, rail and air connections. Belfast International Airport is located here, servicing over 6.2m passengers and 60 destinations per year.
It’s home to two popular retail destinations, The Junction Retail and Leisure Park and The Abbey Centre. There are also three higher education facilities: Ulster University, CAFRE Agricultural College (Greenmount) and the Northern Regional College.
One of Northern Ireland’s top performing planning authorities, Antrim and Newtownabbey is a highly soughtafter investment location, with many major global companies choosing to set up business here. 138 hectares of zoned employment land are available at our Strategic Employment Locations.
Visit www.antrimandnewtownabbey.gov.uk
Ards and North Down Borough Council
Adjacent to Belfast, Ards and North Down includes two urban centres: the new City of Bangor and thriving retail town of Newtownards, and covers the southern shores of Belfast Lough, the scenic Ards Peninsula and Strangford Lough. With excellent infrastructure and digital connectivity, a talented workforce, strong industry base and vibrant tourism offering, it’s rich in investment opportunities.
A hub for Creative Industries, Services, Agrifood and Advanced Manufacturing, it is the chosen location for global leaders such as 3M, Denman, Navico Group, Teleperformance, Mash Direct and Lakeland Dairies.
Ards and North Down is an appealing visitor destination with a vibrant tourism offering and boasting 185 km of stunning coastline. Key visitor attractions include the National Trust’s Mount Stewart, Pickie Funpark, WWT Castle Espie, Ulster Folk and Transport Museums, Crawfordsburn Country Park and Scrabo Tower.
Visit www.ardsandnorthdown.gov.uk
Belfast City Council
Belfast is NI’s capital and largest city. Uniquely located between Europe and the US, the Dublin Belfast Economic Corridor gives us strong links with the rest of the island of Ireland.
Cranes dot our skyline as new offices, hotels, student and residential accommodation are built. The Belfast Agenda is ensuring that we continue to attract investment and boost our citizens’ health and prosperity. By 2033, we’ll deliver the £1bn Belfast Region City Deal investment programme.
By 2035, we aim to deliver 31,600 new homes, increasing our population by 66,000.
Our Bolder Vision is creating a more attractive, accessible, safer and more vibrant city centre - and a greener, more walkable, wheelable street network.
Visit www.belfastcity.gov.uk
Lisburn & Castlereagh City Council
Spanning nearly 200 square miles, Lisburn & Castlereagh City Council (LCCC) offers a strategic location on the Belfast Dublin Economic Corridor, connecting businesses to a 2.5 million population catchment. With excellent transport links, proximity to Belfast’s airports, and seamless access to UK and EU markets, it is a prime investment hub. Home to thriving sectors in advanced manufacturing, engineering, and professional services, LCCC features world-class employers like Coca-Cola, ASSA ABLOY, and Camlin Group. Its highly skilled workforce, the most degree-educated in Northern Ireland, drives a strong pro-business economy.
Investments in digital infrastructure, including 95% full-fibre broadband and 5G, further boost its appeal. LCCC balances vibrant urban centres with rich rural landscapes, offering exceptional quality of life. Strategic developments, such as the Knockmore Hill Link Road and Belfast Region City Deal, will continue driving innovation and sustainable growth.
Visit www.lisburncastlereagh.gov.uk
Mid and East Antrim Borough Council
Mid and East Antrim’s CleanTech and Green economy is primed for international investment opportunities. The borough is developing as a CleanTech hub for Northern Ireland, transforming its workforce via the awardwinning Hydrogen Training Academy. The £15m HyTech NI project will extend capabilities of the planned Belfast Region City Deal projects to support the CleanTech sector.
The area has excellent infrastructure with top planning application processing times in Northern Ireland and offers the unique Michelin Grant and Load fund for additional investment support. With strong rail, sea and road links, including the Port of Larne, the borough provides easy access to Belfast’s airports and abundant renewable energy resources.
Located at the start of the Causeway Coastal Route, it features attractions like The Gobbins, Carrickfergus Castle and Game of Thrones filming locations.
Visit www.midandeastantrim.gov.uk
Newry, Mourne and Down District Council
Newry, Mourne and Down District Council occupies the southeast of Northern Ireland, which includes southern County Armagh and a large part of County Down.
The area is strategically placed, approximately 45 minutes from both Belfast and Dublin on the A1 Euro Route. This district council has a population of approximately 107,000.
It incorporates the majestic Mourne Mountains, an area of outstanding natural beauty, and has an extensive coastline stretching from Strangford Lough to Carlingford Lough.
Visit www.newrymournedown.org
