ANTRIM and Newtownabbey Borough Council is seeking discussions with Invest NI to progress the development of the remainder of land at Global Point Business Park outside Glengormley.
The recommendation was approved at a meeting of the local authority on Monday evening following a fact-finding visit to the Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre in Sheffield.
The council is also to give consideration to the suitability of land in the vicinity of Global Point to facilitate further development.
Last week, the local authority approved plans for a new manufacturing facility at Global Point representing an investment of £4 million.
Steel Mac Distribution, currently located at Titanic Quarter in Belfast, intends to develop a new manufacturing facility extending to 35,000 sq ft on lands north of Global Point Avenue.
RLC which provides engineering solutions for the aerospace industry is already operating on the site and is soon to be joined by Sensata Technologies through an investment of £16.5m to accommodate 450-500 employees.
Ardagh Metal Packaging has also announced a decision to locate a new £150m manufacturing plant
Meanwhile, an Advanced Manufacturing and Innovation Centre (AMIC) would see the creation of a ‘factory of the future’ at Global Point as part of the Belfast Region City Deal led by Queen’s University.
The AMIC project will be the first of its kind in Northern Ireland, offering advanced manufacturing and engineering businesses access to the latest technology, specialist equipment and expertise.
As partners in the Belfast Region City Deal, the council will contribute £10m to the £98m project, with further contributions from Queen’s University, Ulster University, the UK Government and Northern Ireland Executive.
The purpose of the visit to the Sheffield facility was to hear of its development since it was built in 2004 on the site of a disused colliery.
A report to councillors says that the “state-of-the-art centre” in Sheffield “offers the very best in practical and academic training”. Since opening in 2013, more than 450 employers from across the city have asked AMRC to train more than 1,700 apprentices.
The council delegation, including Antrim and Newtownabbey Mayor Alderman Stephen Ross, was joined by Queen’s University representatives.
Ald Ross described the “best practice” visit as “very informative”.
Glengormley Sinn Fein Councillor Michael Goodman described the facilities as a “revelation”.
“What it demonstrated to me was the potential of the site at Global Point to bring benefit not just to the business sector but to the wider community in terms of creating opportunities for getting young people into apprenticeships and building relationships with wider higher education providers in Antrim and Newtownabbey and the wider Belfast area.”
