PUBLIC AND COUNCILLORS EXPRESS SUPPORT FOR TESCO

Developers submitted a new planning application last month - in which the store was reduced in size by 20 per cent - after an appeal following their initial application was rejected by Environment Minister Edwin Poots in December last year.

The new plans have since been welcomed by a number of Banbridge District councillors as well as avid Tesco campaigner and Banbridge resident Blue Noddings.

Blue, who gathered thousands of signatures on a petition last year supporting plans for the largest Tesco in Ireland at Bridgewater Park, said she represents the voice of the majority of people living in and around the district.

"Everyone I meet around the town wants this to happen. We were all disappointed at the attitude of some local traders last time round."

Blue urged people who support the new application to let the planners and politicians know their views.

A number of councillors also lent their voices in support of Tesco's plans which they say will bring more jobs, choice and business to the district.

SDLP councillor Seamus Doyle said, "It would have been a severe blow to the future of many local families if they had decided to give up the fight.

"The Bridgewater Park proposals, when complete, will see an annual salaries boost to the local economy of nearly 20 million."

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DUP councillor Jim McElroy, deputy chair of Banbridge District council, said Tesco could provide one of the only sources of employment in the town at a time when it is badly needed.

"This is terrific news," he said. "The superstore will create 300 to 400 jobs, badly needed jobs - there's no sign of any other jobs in this area."

Alliance councillor Frank McQuaid expressed his thanks to the developers at Bridgewater for remaining committed to Banbridge.

He said, "They could just as easily have gone to Newry or Lisburn, but they chose Banbridge and for that I thank them."

UUP councillor Ian Burns said he hopes planning permission for the new superstore will be granted in the near future.

"We must support these proposals and I call upon the planners to take a positive decision as quickly as possible," he said.