Traders welcome planners' decision to turn down Tesco development

The retail giant had wanted to build a new outlet on the former FG Wilson site at Hillhead Road. But following objections from shop owners in the town centre, the planning application is set to be refused.

"Planning Service recommended that the application for a Tesco store in Ballyclare be refused. The Environment Minister is the final decision taker on Article 31 applications and he has agreed with the recommendation to refuse planning permission. The Minister has informed MLAs that a Notice of Opinion to refuse will be issued shortly," a Department of the Environment spokesperson confirmed this week.

Colin Hampsey, Corporate Affairs Manager for Tesco in Northern Ireland, expressed his disappointment at the Minister's stance.

"While we have had no formal notification from the Planning Department, we would naturally be disappointed if this application was to be refused.

"The proposed new store would have created up to 300 new full and part-time retail positions offering one of the highest basic pay rates in the industry. There would also have been hundreds of construction jobs.

"It was hoped that this edge of centre store would encourage further regeneration and investment in the area," he told the Times.

But the planners' refusal decision has been welcomed by Ballyclare Chamber of Trade and the Northern Ireland Independent Retail Trade Association (NIIRTA).

"We are delighted that common sense has prevailed in the Planning Service with regards to this application," said Chamber President, Niall McConkey.

Read the full story in this week's Times...