75 jobs could be created at Magherafelt's Meadowlane shopping centre

Speaking at a meeting of Mid Ulster Council’s planning committee he said they were proposing to spend between £1.2m and £1.4m on the development.

He pointed that a discount store had expressed an interest in the proposed unit and there had been no complaints from shoppers or concerns raised about reduced parking space.

Castlefarm Properties Ltd are applying for a change of use from basement car parking to supermarket unit to include new mall and amended service yard at existing shopping centre.

A planning consultant for Forbes Ltd claimed if the proposal got the go-ahead it would lead to a shortfall in the number of parking spaces available.

He said this could result in motorists parking in areas that could cause a safety hazard. The consultant suggested the committee defer their decision to give further consideration.

Planning manager Dr Chris Bloomer said he suspected there was a race on to get this store to come to Magherafelt whether its to Forbes or the shopping centre.

Dr Bloomer said he did not think additional parking would be needed and was of the opinion the matter could be resolved by entering into an agreement with the applicant. The Castlefarm representative said if extra parking space was required they would “add another deck” to the centre, although he insisted there was already adequate space.

Members adjourned the application pending the drawing up of an agreement.