Major planning application boost as new Sprucefield owners look to further develop retail park
New Californian owners of Lisburn’s Sprucefield have had a major planning application signed off as its first shopping boost for the site.
‘Realty Income Corporations’ based in San Diego acquired the retail park for £51m in December 2025 and will now look to develop it further, though a new tenant has not been disclosed.
However, concerns have been raised over wastewater capacity on the Sprucefield site amid a NI Water (NIW) objection.
Lisburn North UUP councillor Nicholas Trimble said: “If this application was approved there would still be conditions that would need to be met for the cafe and not a new application for the cafe?”
The American investment trust will look to merge the former Argos and Next Home units beside the Sainsbury’s store next to the M1 motorway, according to the planning application.
Lisburn North DUP councillor Jonathan Craig added: “Around that condition to the coffee shop, I am fascinated as to why this situation has now arisen on the site. And will this become a wider problematic issue for the overall site?”
The chamber heard the agent for the applicant confirmed talks were taking place with NIW to find a solution “solely for the cafe”.
A planning officer confirmed a condition would be required to be met before the cafe could be operational.
Castlereagh East Alliance Alderman Martin Gregg said: “What sort of confidence do we have that this wouldn’t be put in place before the agreement is in place with NIW, with regards to our enforcement and monitoring of this and any additional costs that could be involved?”
No representatives for the applicant appeared in the chamber. The Local Democracy Reporting Service contacted Realty Income.
A council officer responded: “The cafe will have permission to be constructed, but it will not be able to operate until a wastewater solution is agreed by the council and NIW.
“The condition will bite if the cafe opens, we will have to consider whether enforcement action is appropriate. In terms of other development at Sprucefield there are other solutions for wastewater. It just so happens that the solution for this cafe has not yet been agreed.
“We have taken enforcement action on other cafes with one in Carryduff and another in Glenavy and those are being pursued through the courts.”
The application was approved unanimously.