Traders bid to block shopping centre expansion
A legal bid has been launched to try to stop the massive expansion of the Sprucefield shopping centre outside Lisburn which would see John Lewis open its first store in Ireland, it was revealed today.
An application for a judicial review of Environment Minister Lord Rooker’s decision to grant planning permission for 500,000 sq ft of retail space - roughly half for John Lewis and the rest for 29 other stores – has been lodged.
The legal action is being taken by Lisburn Chamber of Commerce and traders in the city’s Bow Street Mall.
Speaking on behalf of Bow Street Mall, Michael Hopkins of agents McKibbin Commercial said: “We believe we have a strong case for judicial review following the minister’s decision last month which contradicted all existing and emerging planning policy and guidance.
“We have joined with Lisburn Chamber in this application because it is important to stand united against this decision.”
Mervyn Shannon, chairman of the local Chamber of Commerce, added: “Our membership sees the damage that a retail development of this size will cause to Lisburn city centre.
“The John Lewis Partnership is very welcome in Lisburn city centre but the location of the scheme at Sprucefield and the additional 29 units will be hugely detrimental to Lisburn city centre and we feel we have been left with no choice but to pursue a judicial review of the minister’s decision.”
The Department of Environment was expected to defend the minister’s decision in the courts.
However all a spokesman would say was: “As this is a legal process it would be inappropriate for us to make any comment.”
