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| Version 1 | Version 2 |
|---|---|
| 'Fatal blow' for John Lewis store at Sprucefield | 'Fatal blow' for John Lewis store at Sprucefield |
| (about 1 hour later) | |
| By Jim Fitzpatrick BBC NI economics and business editor | By Jim Fitzpatrick BBC NI economics and business editor |
| Controversial plans for a John Lewis store in Northern Ireland are likely to be dealt a fatal blow by a new planning policy. | |
| The development at Sprucefield, which includes 19 other retail units, was first suggested nearly nine years ago. | The development at Sprucefield, which includes 19 other retail units, was first suggested nearly nine years ago. |
| Environment minister Alex Attwood has confirmed a new area plan will limit further development at Sprucefield to "bulky goods" like furniture. | |
| He said he was committed to putting "Belfast first" in "difficult times". | |
| "This is consistent with the revised Regional Development Strategy 2035 which aims to strengthen Belfast as the regional economic driver and the primary retail location in Northern Ireland," he added. | |
| "My decision today will support that, as evidence indicates a high vacancy rate. | |
| "I intend to take a precautionary approach to retailing. | |
| "I also want to see Lisburn city centre and other town centres in the (Belfast) metropolitan area taking additional retail floorspace. | |
| "Sprucefield will play a key role as a regional centre which will complement rather than compete with Belfast and existing city and town centres. | |
| "That is why I have decided to restrict future retailing at Sprucefield to bulky goods only." | |
| The DUP MP for Lagan Valley Jeffrey Donaldson said that he regretted the line the minister was taking. | |
| He said that if the development did not go ahead at Sprucefield, it was likely that John Lewis would site their store in the Irish Republic. | |
| "We need to get real here and this notion that the choice is between Belfast and Sprucefield is not right," he said. | |
| "Talk to John Lewis, they want a large outlet in Northern Ireland, they want it in Sprucefield where there is a catchment area of two million people, Belfast hasn't got that. | |
| "Their next choice for a location is Dublin, not Belfast." | |
| Objectors have said the scale of the Sprucefield project would damage town centres, supporters have said it will bring jobs. | |
| It is understood the new policy will effectively kill the chances of a John Lewis store on the site near the city of Lisburn. | It is understood the new policy will effectively kill the chances of a John Lewis store on the site near the city of Lisburn. |
| The planned development at Sprucefield was said to have been one and a half times the size of the Castlecourt shopping centre in Belfast. | The planned development at Sprucefield was said to have been one and a half times the size of the Castlecourt shopping centre in Belfast. |
| Resumption | Resumption |
| But fans of the popular retailer need not lose hope. | But fans of the popular retailer need not lose hope. |
| The developers behind the stalled Royal Exchange Scheme in Belfast are still hoping to persuade John Lewis into the city. | The developers behind the stalled Royal Exchange Scheme in Belfast are still hoping to persuade John Lewis into the city. |
| The latest Sprucefield plans are set to be considered by the Planning Appeals Commission (PAC) in April. | |
| It will consider if there are any obstacles to the resumption of a public inquiry and to discuss dates. | It will consider if there are any obstacles to the resumption of a public inquiry and to discuss dates. |
| A planning application for the 500,000 sq ft development was first made in 2004. | A planning application for the 500,000 sq ft development was first made in 2004. |
| Although it is most associated with the department store John Lewis, the application has been made by the developer Sprucefield Centre Ltd. | |
| It is a joint venture between the Australian property firm Westfield and the local developer Snoddons. | It is a joint venture between the Australian property firm Westfield and the local developer Snoddons. |
| John Lewis have committed to being the anchor tenant at the development. | John Lewis have committed to being the anchor tenant at the development. |
| The project has faced a series of legal challenges from some Lisburn traders who fear it could damage city-centre shopping. | The project has faced a series of legal challenges from some Lisburn traders who fear it could damage city-centre shopping. |
| Rival retail landlords have also opposed it. | Rival retail landlords have also opposed it. |
| Mr Attwood said on Friday that he wanted to stress that he was not "reopening the debate on any policy issues". | |
| He also said he was not attempting to prejudice the outcome of the public inquiry in April. | |
| "That planning application remains to be considered carefully following the PAC inquiry report," he added. | |
| "All the relevant issues within the public inquiry report will be interrogated carefully before a final ministerial decision is made." | |