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01/02/2013
John Lewis Plans Scrapped
John Lewis has withdrawn its plans to build a news shopping centre at Sprucefield, near Lisburn.
Environment Minister Alex Attwood has said he would not be changing his mind, and that the development would have to be limited to stores selling bulky goods.
DUP Leader and First Minister of Northern Ireland, Peter Robinson MLA, said this was 'bad news for Northern Ireland".
Mr Robinson said: "Alex Attwood's decision has contributed to costing Northern Ireland an estimated £150 million of investment and the Lisburn and West Belfast areas over 1,500 jobs. At a time of such economic challenges this is investment that Northern Ireland can ill afford to lose. It should be the responsibility of Ministers to encourage investment and not to prevent it.
"While I am disappointed by this news, I welcome the ongoing commitment of John Lewis to development at Sprucefield if the Belfast Metropolitan Area Plan is reconsidered. I remain committed to ensuring the Executive will address this issue in the near future and hope that the circumstances will be created to allow a new John Lewis application for Sprucefield."
Defending his decision Mr Attwood said: "I have to stand back, I have to put the Northern Ireland interest first, I have to stand back and say what is the right thing for Belfast and Greater Belfast.
"I think my advice is right, timely and proportionate."
The Northern Ireland Independent Retail Trade Association (NIIRTA) has urged the company to look at a new Town or City Centre location.
NIIRTA Chief Executive Glyn Roberts said: "We have always strongly supported John Lewis locating a store in a town or city centre site as opposed to an unsustainable out of town location. Northern Ireland has not only the highest town centre shop vacancy rate in the UK, but twice the national average of nearly 1 in 4 shops empty.
"An out of town John Lewis would have accelerated that decline further.
"NIIRTA would urge Westfield and John Lewis to give serious thought to an alternative town centre site which will strongly support regeneration efforts and we call upon the Executive to establish a multi-departmental taskforce to assist them with this process."
(CD)
Environment Minister Alex Attwood has said he would not be changing his mind, and that the development would have to be limited to stores selling bulky goods.
DUP Leader and First Minister of Northern Ireland, Peter Robinson MLA, said this was 'bad news for Northern Ireland".
Mr Robinson said: "Alex Attwood's decision has contributed to costing Northern Ireland an estimated £150 million of investment and the Lisburn and West Belfast areas over 1,500 jobs. At a time of such economic challenges this is investment that Northern Ireland can ill afford to lose. It should be the responsibility of Ministers to encourage investment and not to prevent it.
"While I am disappointed by this news, I welcome the ongoing commitment of John Lewis to development at Sprucefield if the Belfast Metropolitan Area Plan is reconsidered. I remain committed to ensuring the Executive will address this issue in the near future and hope that the circumstances will be created to allow a new John Lewis application for Sprucefield."
Defending his decision Mr Attwood said: "I have to stand back, I have to put the Northern Ireland interest first, I have to stand back and say what is the right thing for Belfast and Greater Belfast.
"I think my advice is right, timely and proportionate."
The Northern Ireland Independent Retail Trade Association (NIIRTA) has urged the company to look at a new Town or City Centre location.
NIIRTA Chief Executive Glyn Roberts said: "We have always strongly supported John Lewis locating a store in a town or city centre site as opposed to an unsustainable out of town location. Northern Ireland has not only the highest town centre shop vacancy rate in the UK, but twice the national average of nearly 1 in 4 shops empty.
"An out of town John Lewis would have accelerated that decline further.
"NIIRTA would urge Westfield and John Lewis to give serious thought to an alternative town centre site which will strongly support regeneration efforts and we call upon the Executive to establish a multi-departmental taskforce to assist them with this process."
(CD)
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The High Court in Belfast has today overturned a decision to grant planning permission for a John Lewis store in County Antrim. Today's decision rejects the application for the £40 million development, which had previously been given the go ahead to be built at Sprucefield, just outside Lisburn in County Antrim.
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The High Court in Belfast has today overturned a decision to grant planning permission for a John Lewis store in County Antrim. Today's decision rejects the application for the £40 million development, which had previously been given the go ahead to be built at Sprucefield, just outside Lisburn in County Antrim.
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The full list of recipients of honours in the 2005 Birthday Honours list for Northern Ireland is as follows: Knighthood: Mr Hugh Orde OBE, Chief Constable, Police Service of Northern Ireland - for services to Northern Ireland. CBE: Mr Robert David Stewart Campbell, Belfast - For Political and public service.
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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.
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Northern Ireland WeatherThis Evening and Tonight:A dry night, save for a few light showers around the coasts, with prolonged clear spells and light winds bringing a frosty dawn for many in central and southern parts. Minimum temperature -3 °C.
