Plans to turn Ballymena Michelin site into business park

Tyre manufacturers Michelin has announced plans to convert its Ballymena factory into a business park when the facility closes in June.The Raceview Road facility has been sold to developers Siliverwood, who own and manage the Silverwood Buisness Park in Cragavon, and it is expected 10 acres of the site will be given to Mid and East Antrim Borough Council.In November 2015, Michelin announced 50 years of operation at the site would come to an end in April of this year due to rising energy costs and falling demand for truck tyres in Europe.The site will go into consideration for becoming a partner logistic hub for Heathrow Airport, with it in contention alongside five other sites in Northern Ireland.If chosen, the site would aid the expansion of Heathrow Airport, with construction on the £14bn third runway project expected to begin in 2020.The council has also announced it also plans to create a centre for manufacturing excellence.