Lidl takes new plan straight to Appeals Commission

Lidl had originally sought the go ahead for a store of over 1770 sq metres on the site with additional retail units. A second plan for a 1300 sq metre store including nine townhouses was then lodged, but both applications were rejected by the Planning Service.

Now, in an unusual move the company has asked the Planning Appeals Commission to rule on the new application. They are entitled to by-pass the planning service because their application was not dealt with in the specified time.

But at a meeting of the council’s Planning Committee this week, members said they felt ‘snubbed’ that Lidl had not informed them of the move or given them the opportunity to give their opinion.

Councillor Paul Stewart said it was ‘very worrying that a major stakeholder (the Council) wasn’t consulted’.

“I think we should write to ask why” he said. This was seconded by Alderman Paul Porter and agreed.

Cllr Paul Givan also secured the support of the Planning Committee to oppose the Lidl application at the Planning Appeals Commission

“I am of the firm view that a supermarket at this site is inappropriate” he said. “The same arguments for refusing the previous applications I believe are still applicable; in the first instance the land is not designated for retail use in the Lisburn Area Plan and would be in conflict with the new planning policy statement five which deals with retailing.

“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 have urged the Planning Appeals Commission to refuse this application, as previously has been the case.”

He added: “Lidl already has a store in the City and the economic benefits to the area would be negligible and would only result in displacement. Unfortunately Lidl decided to take this third application directly to the Planning Appeals Commission and therefore circumvent the normal consultative role that Lisburn City Council has within the planning response and at no point did they seek to meet with the Council, elected representatives or local residents about this application.

“I would encourage Lidl to engage with the Council’s Economic Development Unit and we will assist in finding a more suitable location in the City Centre rather than an out of town development in a residential area.”

Alderman Jim Dillon said he was interested to know what Lidl’s take on it is and asked be recorded as being against the objection to the store.

Councillor Brian Dornan said it would be sending out a bad message if the Council showed any support for Lidl’s application at this stage.

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