GRAHAM has been given the green light by Planning Service to build its new £10 million eco-friendly Head Quarters.

The Company, who employ close to 1000 employees, have also announced that the new HQ facility will allow the company to create 200 jobs over the next 2 years.

The eco-friendly HQ will be based just off the A1 dual carriageway beside Hillsborough.  It will use a biomass boiler, collect rainwater and GRAHAM is hopeful it will receive the highest award level for Sustainable buildings – the “Excellent” BREEAM rating.

Also, significant is the processing of the planning application within 6 months, by Planning Service’s new Strategic Projects Unit (SPU).  The GRAHAM application is one of the first to be processed by the unit.

Executive Chairman, Mr Michael Graham said: “This planning approval allows us to forge ahead with the construction of our new HQ on schedule. It is no secret that we have outgrown our historic HQ base in Dromore and we had feared the new HQ planning application would take longer to process and thus impact upon our business development plans.

“We have been impressed by the attitude and approach of the SPU to the planning application and also want to thank Jeffrey Donaldson and Lisburn City Council for their support.”

Lagan Valley MP Jeffrey Donaldson said:  “I am delighted that Planning Service have succeeded in approving the new Headquarters for GRAHAM in just 6 months.  This application was quickly identified by my colleague Arlene Foster as a strategic project which enabled it to be fast-tracked through the planning system.  The company is a major investor in my constituency and provides substantial employment for the local community.  This is a good example of how Government and business can work constructively together for the benefit of everyone.

“GRAHAM has expanded considerably in recent years, having completed various high profile projects in Scotland, England & the Republic of Ireland.  The new HQ will allow the company to expand further creating 200 jobs over the next 2 years which is terrific news.  Significant time and resources have been invested into the design of the new building to make sure it incorporates key environmental features and this of course is positive.”

Michael Graham continued: “We hope to achieve the “Excellent” BREEAM rating for the new HQ building. This is the highest award level for Sustainable buildings. It is intended to become a ‘Flagship’ building demonstrating to Clients that we ‘practice what we preach’. It involves details such as orientating the building to minimise heat gain from the sun to allow the use of natural ventilation, therefore cutting down on energy costs. Sustainable building materials, collecting rainwater and use of appropriate landscaping will all be used to make the building sustainable and energy efficient.”

To view an animated fly-through of Graham’s new HQ, please click this link.

Pictured: Celebrating Planning Approval within 6 months for GRAHAM’S new £10 million eco-friendly HQ is Environment Minister Arlene Foster, Lagan Valley MP Jeffrey Donaldson and Michael Graham, Executive Chairman of GRAHAM.