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| Fresh plans for John Lewis store | Fresh plans for John Lewis store |
| (about 1 hour later) | |
| A controversial application for a John Lewis store and 29 shops near Lisburn, County Antrim, has been withdrawn. | A controversial application for a John Lewis store and 29 shops near Lisburn, County Antrim, has been withdrawn. |
| However, the BBC understands the property developer involved in the Sprucefield scheme will submit an alternative proposal. | However, the BBC understands the property developer involved in the Sprucefield scheme will submit an alternative proposal. |
| This would still involve the John Lewis chain but a smaller number of shops. | This would still involve the John Lewis chain but a smaller number of shops. |
| Plans for a store at Sprucefield and 29 adjoining units were given the go-ahead more than two years ago, overturned, resubmitted then approved again. | Plans for a store at Sprucefield and 29 adjoining units were given the go-ahead more than two years ago, overturned, resubmitted then approved again. |
| Last month, a High Court judge approved a second judicial review of the government's decision. | |
| The opponents of the scheme include the chambers of commerce in Lisburn and Belfast, and a group of shopping centres including the Rushmere in Craigavon, Bow St Mall in Lisburn and the new Victoria Square in Belfast. | The opponents of the scheme include the chambers of commerce in Lisburn and Belfast, and a group of shopping centres including the Rushmere in Craigavon, Bow St Mall in Lisburn and the new Victoria Square in Belfast. |
| On Wednesday, a spokesperson on behalf of the five parties said: "This is a welcome decision which avoids an unnecessary legal action and helps to re-focus on the bigger issue; the protection and enhancement of Northern Ireland's town and city centres. | |
| "The John Lewis interest in Northern Ireland is very welcome but we invite them to look at urban centres here, as they do in the rest of the United Kingdom." | |
| The legal action has already cost the taxpayer at least £200,000. | The legal action has already cost the taxpayer at least £200,000. |
| The developers, Westfield, say the scheme could create up to 2,000 jobs. | The developers, Westfield, say the scheme could create up to 2,000 jobs. |