This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/northern_ireland/7585220.stm

The article has changed 7 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 4 Version 5
John Lewis application unveiled John Lewis application unveiled
(about 3 hours later)
A fresh planning application to build a new John Lewis store in Lisburn has been unveiled. A fresh planning application to build a new John Lewis store on the outskirts of Lisburn has been unveiled.
John Lewis will still be the main anchor tenant, but the number of other retail outlets at the site has been reduced from 29 to 19. John Lewis will still be the main anchor tenant, but the number of other retail outlets at the Sprucefield site has been reduced from 29 to 19.
The developers are now seeking an early public inquiry to adjudicate on the proposal.The developers are now seeking an early public inquiry to adjudicate on the proposal.
The proposed development has been dogged by controversy since it was first submitted four years ago.The proposed development has been dogged by controversy since it was first submitted four years ago.
It has been opposed by traders in Lisburn, Belfast, Banbridge and Craigavon.It has been opposed by traders in Lisburn, Belfast, Banbridge and Craigavon.
They feared their town centres would be damaged by the number of additional retail units attached to the John Lewis application.They feared their town centres would be damaged by the number of additional retail units attached to the John Lewis application.
But the former mayor of Lisburn, Jim Dillon, said trade will be lost to the Republic of Ireland if John Lewis does not get permission to build at Sprucefield.But the former mayor of Lisburn, Jim Dillon, said trade will be lost to the Republic of Ireland if John Lewis does not get permission to build at Sprucefield.
"If there's one at Sprucefield then the people of Northern Ireland will come here, not the one in Dublin," he said."If there's one at Sprucefield then the people of Northern Ireland will come here, not the one in Dublin," he said.
What concerned us and our members about the previous planning application were the 30 additional retail units Glyn Roberts, NIIRTAWhat concerned us and our members about the previous planning application were the 30 additional retail units Glyn Roberts, NIIRTA
"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.""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."
Glyn Roberts of the NI Indpendent Retail Trade Association (NIIRTA) said: "We do not have any problems with a standalone John Lewis store opening in Sprucefield.Glyn Roberts of the NI Indpendent Retail Trade Association (NIIRTA) said: "We do not have any problems with a standalone John Lewis store opening in Sprucefield.
"What concerned us and our members about the previous planning application were the 30 additional retail units which would have gone alongside the proposed John Lewis store."What concerned us and our members about the previous planning application were the 30 additional retail units which would have gone alongside the proposed John Lewis store.
"We'd like to see the new proposals contain a major reduction in both the number and floor space of any additional retail units.""We'd like to see the new proposals contain a major reduction in both the number and floor space of any additional retail units."