Lidl lodge new plan for Lisburn store

But local residents, who successfully fought two previous applications, have vowed to again oppose the development.

Lidl had originally sought the go ahead for a store of over 1770 sq metres on the same site with additional retail units. The second plan included nine townhouses. Both applications were rejected by the Planning Service.

It is understood that the new application, which was submitted at the end of July, is for a "local foodstore." Contractors have also been clearing the site of debris over the last week.

A spokesperson for Lidl confirmed a "scaled down" application had been submitted.

"The new planning application for the Bentrim Road in Lisburn has now been revised and scaled down, seeking approval for a Lidl store of 1365 square metres only" she said. "The design of this store would be the very first of its kind in Northern Ireland and represents a new look, ultra modern store, which aims to further enhance the shopping experience.

"Lidl can confirm that it has commenced works to clear this dilapidated site and has enlisted the services of a tree surgeon to ensure that the protected trees are preserved. This work is being carried out with full support from the local council and PSNI."

However, the Lower Antrim Road Residents Group, which launched a campaign against the original planning application in 2008 have said they will vehemently oppose this new application.

A spokesperson for the group said: "It is unwanted by local residents who do not wish to see another retail store in a well established residential area."

The residents have also expressed concern about the site being cleared and have called on Lidl to ensure the area is fenced off and secured.

"I recognise that they haven't taken down any of the trees that have protection orders on them but they have left the site in a very untidy state" he said. "We trust that Lidl will tidy and fence off the site for safety."

He thanked public representatives for their continued support in opposing the plans and added: "We are heartened by the continuing support in opposition to this new proposal by members of Lisburn City Council."

Lagan Valley MP Jeffrey Donaldson said he shared the concerns of the residents.

"This particular area is a protected route where there are major traffic flows at all times of the day and there is no doubt that bringing additional traffic from a major retail development onto the roundabout would cause major problems, particularly at peak times, including when nearby schools are getting out" he said.

"There is also the major question as to whether it would be damaging to the city centre to have another retail development. It is our view that the only exception to this should be Sprucefield, which is a regional shopping centre, and all major retail development in Lisburn should be located in the city centre and not in the suburbs, which should be retained for residential use only.

"The residents have also raised concerns about the impact that such a major development will have on their homes and their quality of life. We can certainly appreciate their viewpoint and will be raising these matters directly with the Planning Service and Lidl themselves."

Lagan Valley MLA Paul Givan, who also met with residents this week, said a supermarket at the site was "inappropriate".

"The same arguments for refusing the previous application are still applicable" he said. "The road infrastructure could not support the amount of traffic that would be generated on the Prince William Road, which is a protected route, and ultimately the Lower Antrim Road is a residential area and commercial activity is not suitable. The mistake of allowing Tesco to build on Bentrim Street in a residential area should not be repeated and I will be urging the Planning Service to refuse this application.

"I have also asked the Council's Environmental Health unit to investigate the site that has been cleared as local residents have complained about the amount of vermin in the area. The litter that is now visible is an eyesore and on a key route in and out of Lisburn the current state of the site must be improved."

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