CAMPAIGNERS against plans to build the largest Tesco store on the island of Ireland have claimed a major victory after it emerged that an application for an out-of town store outside Banbridge has been rejected.
The decision, which could have ramifications for planning across the UK, is also set to cause embarrassment within the Department of Environment (DOE) since the news of the rejection emerged in the media before the applicants had received official no
tification.
The ruling, approved by the newly appointed Minister Sammy Wilson, is the first major decision against the trend that has seen out of town development continue despite increasing calls here and in Great Britain for a new policy favouring in town development.
The Northern Ireland Independent Retail Trade Association (NIIRTA) and Banbridge Traders’ Association strongly welcomed Mr Wilson’s decision to reject the application for a 130,000 square foot Tesco store in the out of town site in Bridgewater Park, a mile from Banbridge town centre.
Banbridge Traders and NIIRTA had fought a campaign against the Tesco application for the past year to convince DOE, the local council and MLAs that the proposed out of town store would cripple Banbridge town centre and result in dozens of local small traders closing and the loss of hundreds of jobs.
“This is terrific news and will be warmly welcomed not just by local traders in Banbridge but throughout many in the local community who objected to this application,” said Joe Quail, spokesperson for Banbridge Traders Association and NIIRTA member.
“If this application had been successful then our town would have been ruined with the loss of hundreds of jobs and the closure of many local independent retailers in the town centre who would have been unable to compete with such a vast store. We already have a big Tesco store in the town which can more than accommodate those who wish to shop with them.”
NIIRTA Chief Executive Glyn Roberts, who assisted local retailers in the campaign described the decision as a “victory for common sense”.
“The Minister for Environment deserves considerable credit for supporting local retailers in Banbridge by rejecting the Tesco application.”
“Our campaign was an uphill struggle as the Tesco application was initially supported by the local council and we are delighted that our lobbying has been successful.”
Stressing that the Banbridge decision was an important first step, Mr Roberts called on the Minister to end the delays within the Planning Service and publish long-awaited planning guidelines.
“While this is a great result for our members in Banbridge, we still have a long road ahead of us.
The full article contains 443 words and appears in News Letter newspaper.
