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05/03/2014
Traders Welcome Tesco Refusal
Traders in Ballycastle, County Antrim, have welcomed news that the Planning Appeals Commission has decided to uphold a decision by the Department of the Environment (DOE) not to allow the construction of an out-of-town Tesco supermarket.
Tesco's application to build the 2,000 square metre store and residential development in the Leyland Heights and Ramoan Road area was initially refused by the Planning Service. Yesterday the Planning Appeals Commission upheld that decision, based on the economic impact the store would have on trade in the town centre.
The Northern Ireland Independent Retail Trade Association (NIIRTA) and Ballycastle Chamber of Commerce welcomed the decision.
Both organisations led an eight-year campaign to oppose the store, giving evidence to the appeal hearing late last year.
In a joint statement Glyn Roberts, NIIRTA Chief Executive and Paul Cochrane, Chairman of Ballycastle Chamber of Commerce said: "This is a very welcome decision which our members will be pleased with after an eight year campaign by both our organisations.
"It was never about stopping Tesco coming to Ballycastle, but all about the out of town location of their proposed supermarket on Leyland Road. We have always maintained that these types of stores need to be in Ballycastle town centre, rather than in unsustainable out of town locations which draw away footfall, trade and ultimately jobs.
"Ballycastle town centre should be the top priority for future retail development as it still has a problem with shop vacancies. It is vital that independent and multiple retailers work together to achieve this."
(IT)
Tesco's application to build the 2,000 square metre store and residential development in the Leyland Heights and Ramoan Road area was initially refused by the Planning Service. Yesterday the Planning Appeals Commission upheld that decision, based on the economic impact the store would have on trade in the town centre.
The Northern Ireland Independent Retail Trade Association (NIIRTA) and Ballycastle Chamber of Commerce welcomed the decision.
Both organisations led an eight-year campaign to oppose the store, giving evidence to the appeal hearing late last year.
In a joint statement Glyn Roberts, NIIRTA Chief Executive and Paul Cochrane, Chairman of Ballycastle Chamber of Commerce said: "This is a very welcome decision which our members will be pleased with after an eight year campaign by both our organisations.
"It was never about stopping Tesco coming to Ballycastle, but all about the out of town location of their proposed supermarket on Leyland Road. We have always maintained that these types of stores need to be in Ballycastle town centre, rather than in unsustainable out of town locations which draw away footfall, trade and ultimately jobs.
"Ballycastle town centre should be the top priority for future retail development as it still has a problem with shop vacancies. It is vital that independent and multiple retailers work together to achieve this."
(IT)
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