'This is an excellent application': £7million Northern Ireland Lidl store gets green light however last-minute objection casts shadow
New ‘twice-the-size’ store at Sprucefield was approved on Monday and is set to create 40 jobs, however there’s now potential for the Department of Infrastructure (DfI) to engage a call in process for review of the decision
Plans for discount grocery giant Lidl at Sprucefield have been approved amid a last minute objection.
Lisburn and Castlereagh City Council’s (LCCC) planning committee unanimously signed off on the £7million major application on Monday (December 1).
However, there is now potential for the Department of Infrastructure (DfI) to engage a call in process for review of the decision.
Castlereagh East DUP councillor John Laverty said: ”If we approve this application, then how long will we now have to wait further for the department?
“On previous call ins, I would not be confident that this would be done in a timely manner, especially on how the department has dealt with us in the past.”
The head of planning officer responded that DfI had served notice of a potential call in back in February 2024, but that no decision would be made by the department until LCCC had made a recommendation for approval, with a time-frame uncertain.
An objection filed late Sunday night (Nov 30) to LCCC had caused the chamber to be delayed while elected members took legal advice over administrative concerns and claims of “bias”.
Applicants also reassured the committee the two existing Lidl stores in the Lisburn area at Moria Road and Bentrim Road, would remain open despite the new Sprucefield store to be “twice the size” and aimed at attracting shoppers out of town.
The Sprucefield store is expected to employ 40 staff members according to a spokesperson for the applicant.
Lisburn North DUP councillor Jonathan Craig said: “This is an excellent application, which will cater for all levels of shoppers. It is long overdue for a major development at Sprucefield. It will be a huge success for Lidl and the city of Lisburn.”
The Sprucefield Retail Park location had previously been at the centre of a long running application by homeware chain John Lewis. However it was withdrawn due to concerns over out of town shopping and its effect on town centre businesses.
The John Lewis application was previously a matter for Stormont to consider, ending in a withdrawal by the company in 2013. However, planning decisions are now in the hands of the local authority.