Outrage over Minister’s Sprucefield comments

Chairman of Lisburn City Council’s Planning Committee, Alderman James Tinsley, said that the line the Minister was taking would have major repercussions and could curb future development in towns and cities across Northern Ireland. “The Minister has made it quite clear in his announcement that it is his opinion that Belfast is the priority for investment and development in Northern Ireland, at the expense of all other areas,” said Mr Tinsley. “This is regardless of the recommendations already made by the Public Appeals Commission (PAC) about the planning policies affecting Sprucefield.

“It is nonsensical that the PAC was tasked, as an independent body, to make impartial recommendations. This was duly done and it now appears that the Minister’s comments are at odds with these recommendations. We will be seeking urgent clarification on this. We are bitterly disappointed with the Minister’s announcement and we will continue to support the future retail development at Sprucefield,” he added.

The Mayor of Lisburn, Alderman William Leathem, said that in essence the Minister’s statement would ensure that areas outside Belfast City centre could from now on expect the crumbs from the table with regard to retail development.

“The Minister’s comments have profound implications not just for Lisburn but for all areas outside Belfast,” he said. “In his role as Minister, Alex Attwood is tasked with representing all the people of Northern Ireland. Sadly this is not the case today. Free competition and customer choice appear to have no place in the Minister’s reasoning at a time when market stimulation and job creation, especially in the retail and manufacturing sectors, have never before been so important.

“All cities and towns across Northern Ireland are important and should have a voice and we will continue to work with all relevant organisations to ensure these voices will not be ignored by the Minister or anybody else,” he added.

Lagan Valley MLA Trevor Lunn said the comments were “bad news for Lisburn, Greater Belfast and Northern Ireland.”

He continued: “Mr Atwood can justify his decision however he chooses but it is a fact, confirmed on many occasions by the developers and the John Lewis consortium that they are not interested in any sites here except Sprucefield.

“The notion that they can be redirected to Belfast is unrealistic and frankly arrogant. After nine years of consideration, to change the rules in this way beggars belief and I would implore the other Executive ministers to get involved and not allow this major decision to stand. We are about to effectively turn down the biggest name in UK retailing, a great company, and a desperately needed boost to the construction industry, and watch as it either goes to the Republic or nowhere on the island. John Lewis have been enormously patient and I frankly despair of a system which can take nine years to produce such a plainly perverse outcome.”

Lisburn Councillor Ronnie Crawford said the comments by the Minister were “an outrageous attempt to sabotage the John Lewis planning application at this late stage.”

Mr Crawford continued: “It is an action worthy of a command economy where Communist Tsars decide where investment goes and tells people where they may shop and what items they may buy.

“No one seems to want to recognise the fact that John Lewis do not want to invest in Belfast. This proposal must be defeated and our elected representatives must show some backbone in standing up to the Belfast-dominated interests of their own parties. The electorate must not forgive them if they don’t.”

Speaking at a meeting of Lisburn City Council’s Planning Committee, SDLP Councillor Pat Catney said that he could not defendhis Party colleague, Mr Atwood, and that he stood “shoulder to shoulder” with the rest of the politicians in Lisburn, adding that bringing John Lewis to Sprucefield was “the right decision.”

Alliance Councillor Stephen Martin said a message should be sent out from the Council that “we will not stand for this kind of treatment.”

He added: “This opportunity we are being offered on a plate is being snatched away from us by an incompetent Minister.”

Lisburn’s newest councillor, Mrs Yvonne Craig said Mr Atwood was “a jumped up Belfast councillor” and added that “he doesn’t have the capability to be a Minister.

“If he isn’t up to the job then his Party should get someone else.”

Lagan Valley MLA and Lisburn Councillor Alderman Paul Givan said he had “no confidence in the Minister.”

He added: “He is not the Minister of a Department for Belfast, he is a Minister for Northern Ireland.”

The committee agreed to write to the First and Deputy First Ministers, as well as all Assembly Minister to voice their objections to the comments made by Mr Atwood.

It is understood that Enterprise Minister Arlene Foster has written to the First Minister to ask for the decision on Sprucefield to be taken back to the Executive.

Health Minister and Lagan Valley MLA Edwin Poots said: “The Exexcutive committee is able to take this decision away from the Minister.”

Lagan Valley MP Jeffrey Donaldson said there were serious concerns about the Ministers’ comments.

“I believe due to the impact this policy will have across a number of government departments, it is right that the Executive collectively takes the decision.”

Mr Donaldson criticised the Environment Minister for putting the needs of Belfast ahead of the needs of the rest of Northern Ireland. “Of course it is the case that Mr Atwood is a Belfast MLA and he needs to recognised that his responsibility is not just for Belfast but for the whole of the Province.

“It would be absolutely incredible if this investment was turned down,” he continued. “The public want John Lewis in Northern Ireland and we must send a clear message that Northern Ireland is open for business.”