'˜Act now over John Lewis'

Following discussions in London with the development team of INTU, owners of Sprucefield Park, Mr Donaldson said urgent action was needed to facilitate a new planning application for retail development at Sprucefield, which he claimed had previously been prevented by the restrictions imposed by the Environment Minister in the BMAP Plan.

Mr Donaldson said: “I had a very positive meeting with the INTU team and was pleased to be accompanied by the Chief Executive of Lisburn & Castlereagh City Council Dr Theresa Donaldson and Councillors Allan Ewart and Jim Dillon.

“INTU remain committed to the further development of Sprucefield and are awaiting the response of the DOE to the recent High Court case that ruled against them.

“It is vital the Minister should remove the restrictions that he placed at Sprucefield to clear the way for agreement on BMAP. That would then allow a new planning application to be submitted by the developer.

“John Lewis have a continuing interest in Sprucefield and if planning permission is secured we would hope to be successful in persuading them to open a store there.”

Mr Donaldson said John Lewis and INTU were adopting a “wait and see” approach to the outcome of the recent High Court ruling.