Retail group seeks council meeting over supermarket plan

The Chief Executive of the Northern Ireland Independent Retail Trade Association Glyn Roberts says the supermarket, which would be bigger than the Tesco store at Bentrim Road, would wreck the council's masterplan to regenerate the city centre by sucking trade out of town.

"This would create a 'donut' affect around Lisburn when combined with Tesco, Marks and Spencer and Sainsbury's" he said.

"This is very clearly an out of town site – the cows are still grazing in the fields.

"Key to the masterplan – which is supported by the Department of Social Development as well as the council – is developing sites within the city boundaries."

Mr Roberts said he was aware the council would not make the decision on planning permission but said that as the only body which planners had to consult their opinion carried great weight.

"A firm view from Lisburn Council that they were not supporting this would be a powerful statement" he said.

Mr Roberts stressed his organisation was not against multiples coming here. "In fact we welcome them for the competition they bring, but they should be in town centres" he said.

"Asda in Ballyclare is a good example of a multiple that fits in well with the rest of the town for everyone's benefit."

Mr Roberts said a previous application for a major supermarket development close to the Magheralave Road site had already been turned down by the DoE and he expected this would also be rejected.

Several councillors and local residents have reaffirmed their opposition to the proposal for the supermarket, which at 8,000sq metres - over 86,000sq feet - would make it one of the biggest in Northern Ireland.

The application, which has been designated an Article 31 application of major importance, is currently still with the Planning Service, awaiting a decision on a Public Inquiry.

Councillor Paul Givan said that there had been no further progress, with the Planning Service not having yet sent their report to the council.

However, he commented: "From a personal perspective, this is an unsuitable location for what has been proposed. This area has already been zoned for residential use and it would be a mistake to build something of this size in a densely populated area, just as it was a mistake to allow Tesco to build where they are, resulting in the problems we have seen faced by the Benson Street residents.

"The same mistake should not be repeated and I am confident it will not be repeated," he said.

Councillor Jonathan Craig also said he is confident that the application will be rejected.

"I don't believe this will go anywhere, they would need to get a change of use of the land from residential to commercial" he said. "This would create havoc with the planning system; every rule in the book would have to be overturned by the planners to allow this.

"Ultimately, whilst it is an Article 31 application, the only decision the Department and the Minister can make is to reject it."

The Mayor, Councillor Allan Ewart, said: "As the area for this planning application has been earmarked in the area plan for housing development I would be opposed to a major food retail development taking place on this site.

"A much better location for a major food retailer would be Lisburn City Centre and there should be the creation of an investment opportunity for such a development in the area. I know this has been considered in discussions as part of the Masterplan for Lisburn, and hopefully this can be achieved as soon as possible, which would be a great boost for attracting shoppers into Lisburn."