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28/08/2008
'Scaled Down' John Lewis Sprucefield Plans To Be Sumitted
Revised planning proposals for a £200 million John Lewis store in Northern Ireland are to be unveiled today.
The fresh plans come amid strong opposition to the Sprucefield site from local commerce groups.
Venture partners Westfield - owner of Belfast's CastleCourt shopping centre - and local developer Snoddon Developments are expected to present their application to Lisburn City Council later.
A press conference is due to be held after the meeting.
So far Westfield and John Lewis have declined to comment on their submission.
However, plans for the shopping complex have reportedly been scaled down, with the amount of additional shops slashed.
Previous proposals for the store encompassed the provision of 29 concessions, in addition to the anchor tenant - John Lewis.
These plans riled traders in Belfast, Lisburn, Banbridge and Craigavon, who feared their businesses would be adversely affected.
The most vocal opposition came from the Belfast Chamber of Trade and Commerce, who led the calls for locally elected representatives to step-in.
Now, in a suggested attempt to appease objectors, the developers have cut the number of auxiliary shops at the Sprucefield site to fewer than 20.
Stormont Junior Minister Jeffrey Donaldson, speaking to the Belfast Telegraph earlier this week, urged all stakeholders to rally behind the new plans.
The Lagan Valley MLA warned major retailers, such as John Lewis, were likely to walk away from investment opportunities in Northern Ireland, should they face lengthy planning squabs.
A view supported by the former mayor of Lisburn, Jim Dillon.
Mr Dillon said much-needed spending could be lost to the Republic of Ireland if the John Lewis failed to receive permission for a Sprucefield store.
"If there's one at Sprucefield then the people of Northern Ireland will come here, not the one in Dublin,
"But if you don't build at Sprucefield, there's a motorway practically from Sprucefield to Dublin and there'll be down there in an hour and a half," he added.
(PR/JM)
The fresh plans come amid strong opposition to the Sprucefield site from local commerce groups.
Venture partners Westfield - owner of Belfast's CastleCourt shopping centre - and local developer Snoddon Developments are expected to present their application to Lisburn City Council later.
A press conference is due to be held after the meeting.
So far Westfield and John Lewis have declined to comment on their submission.
However, plans for the shopping complex have reportedly been scaled down, with the amount of additional shops slashed.
Previous proposals for the store encompassed the provision of 29 concessions, in addition to the anchor tenant - John Lewis.
These plans riled traders in Belfast, Lisburn, Banbridge and Craigavon, who feared their businesses would be adversely affected.
The most vocal opposition came from the Belfast Chamber of Trade and Commerce, who led the calls for locally elected representatives to step-in.
Now, in a suggested attempt to appease objectors, the developers have cut the number of auxiliary shops at the Sprucefield site to fewer than 20.
Stormont Junior Minister Jeffrey Donaldson, speaking to the Belfast Telegraph earlier this week, urged all stakeholders to rally behind the new plans.
The Lagan Valley MLA warned major retailers, such as John Lewis, were likely to walk away from investment opportunities in Northern Ireland, should they face lengthy planning squabs.
A view supported by the former mayor of Lisburn, Jim Dillon.
Mr Dillon said much-needed spending could be lost to the Republic of Ireland if the John Lewis failed to receive permission for a Sprucefield store.
"If there's one at Sprucefield then the people of Northern Ireland will come here, not the one in Dublin,
"But if you don't build at Sprucefield, there's a motorway practically from Sprucefield to Dublin and there'll be down there in an hour and a half," he added.
(PR/JM)
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20 October 2005
John Lewis objectors take their case to court
The planning approval for a new John Lewis superstore in Lisburn has been challenged at the High Court on Thursday. Belfast City Council and the Chamber of Trade and Commerce combined to mount the joint challenge to the planning approval, which was given in June despite going against the advice of Planning Service officials.
John Lewis objectors take their case to court
The planning approval for a new John Lewis superstore in Lisburn has been challenged at the High Court on Thursday. Belfast City Council and the Chamber of Trade and Commerce combined to mount the joint challenge to the planning approval, which was given in June despite going against the advice of Planning Service officials.
30 June 2004
John Lewis to open store in Sprucefield
It is reported that the top retail department store John Lewis is to open a store at the Sprucefield complex on the outskirts of Lisburn. The retail chain was previously believed to be considering Tallaght in Dublin, but in a move yet to be confirmed the chain have opted for the Sprucefield site in Co Antrim, Northern Ireland.
John Lewis to open store in Sprucefield
It is reported that the top retail department store John Lewis is to open a store at the Sprucefield complex on the outskirts of Lisburn. The retail chain was previously believed to be considering Tallaght in Dublin, but in a move yet to be confirmed the chain have opted for the Sprucefield site in Co Antrim, Northern Ireland.
11 November 2008
Dublin John Lewis Should Push Sprucefield Decision, Says Mayor
Lisburn Mayor Ronnie Crawford has insisted that national retailer John Lewis's decision to build a Dublin store should act as a fillip for increased political support for a Northern Ireland site. He said: "This will be a test of the seriousness with which our politicians treat our Northern Ireland economy.
Dublin John Lewis Should Push Sprucefield Decision, Says Mayor
Lisburn Mayor Ronnie Crawford has insisted that national retailer John Lewis's decision to build a Dublin store should act as a fillip for increased political support for a Northern Ireland site. He said: "This will be a test of the seriousness with which our politicians treat our Northern Ireland economy.
10 September 2008
Lisburn Council Backing John Lewis Sprucefield Bid
In an unprecedented move, Lisburn City Council has launched a campaign urging people, from across Northern Ireland, to show their support for the proposed John Lewis store at Sprucefield.
Lisburn Council Backing John Lewis Sprucefield Bid
In an unprecedented move, Lisburn City Council has launched a campaign urging people, from across Northern Ireland, to show their support for the proposed John Lewis store at Sprucefield.
26 August 2010
John Lewis Planning Delays Debated
A long-running row over the proposed John Lewis store for Lisburn yesterday spilled onto the steps of Belfast City Hall when Lisburn councillors told of their disappointment at being "excluded from a meeting" about town centre regeneration including the Sprucefield development.
John Lewis Planning Delays Debated
A long-running row over the proposed John Lewis store for Lisburn yesterday spilled onto the steps of Belfast City Hall when Lisburn councillors told of their disappointment at being "excluded from a meeting" about town centre regeneration including the Sprucefield development.
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