John Lewis inquiry stalled yet again

Environment Minister Edwin Poots has criticised those who caused the latest delay, saying it is hampering investment and is not in the best interests of Lisburn.

The public inquiry had originally been scheduled for November last year but was delayed when it emerged the developers had failed to submit information supporting their application to the Planning Service on time. A duplicate application was rushed through the planning process and the inquiry was re-scheduled for Monday morning (June 7).

However, the inquiry was adjourned on Monday after opponents of the proposed retail development won the right to mount a new legal challenge.

Rival traders claim the Department of Environment should have placed newspaper adverts about the scheme.

A spokesperson for the Department of the Environment said they "did not accept" there was a need to advertise and revealed the public inquiry would reopen in October, almost one year after the original start date.

Environment Minister Edwin Poots condemned the opposition for delaying the inquiry once again. "I think it is wholly disingenuous for other commercial interests to use legal technicalities to delay a public inquiry," said Mr Poots.

"It is evident that those who have used the legal system to delay the hearing are not acting in the interests of Lisburn," he continued.

"It would be much better for a decision to be made on this matter as the long running saga has delayed other investment because people are not sure whether further development is going to take place at Sprucefield."

Lagan Valley MP Jeffrey Donaldson said he was "appalled" at the further delay in a planning process which has so far lasted for six years.

"I am appalled at the way in which this public inquiry has been prevented from taking place by some of the very people who went to the High Court just a few short years ago and argued that there should be a public inquiry," said Mr Donaldson.

"Every time this development is delayed it increases the risk that John Lewis will simply conclude that Northern Ireland is closed for business and will take their investment of 150 million to the Irish Republic.

"Commercial self interest is preventing the public from having what it wants - a John Lewis store at Sprucefield," he continued.

"I simply say to those engaged in these type of tactics, they have got to recognise the enormous damage they are doing to Northern Ireland as a home for investment. We are in competition with the Irish Republic, the UK and the EU to attract investment and it just beggars belief that in the face of such competition and in the midst of an economic recession it takes six years to get to the point that people who demanded a public inquiry now prevent it from taking place.

"I am hoping to hold urgent talks with senior management of John Lewis and will again seek to reassure them that despite the negative tactics of the opposition, the majority of people want them here and want them here soon."