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Inquiry to probe Sprucefield plan Inquiry to probe John Lewis plan
(about 1 hour later)
A public inquiry is to examine a planning application which includes a major John Lewis department store outside Lisburn.A public inquiry is to examine a planning application which includes a major John Lewis department store outside Lisburn.
Environment Minister Sammy Wilson made the announcement on Wednesday. The announcement, made by Environment Minister Sammy Wilson on Wednesday, has been welcomed by John Lewis.
The owners of a retail centre at Sprucefield have been trying to get approval for the store and associated retail units since 2004. The owners of a retail centre at Sprucefield have been trying to get approval for the store since 2004.
However, the project, which is expected to cost £150m, has repeatedly been blocked by legal actions. The £150m project, which includes 19 other retail units, has been repeatedly blocked by legal actions.
A re-drafted planning application was submitted almost six months ago.A re-drafted planning application was submitted almost six months ago.
"I have considered the options available to me and I am satisfied that the best way forward is through the public inquiry procedure," said Mr Wilson. On Wednesday, Mr Wilson said: "I have considered the options available to me and I am satisfied that the best way forward is through the public inquiry procedure."
"In making this decision I am conscious of the importance of new inward investment and the potential for employment associated with the proposal, particularly in the current economic climate."In making this decision I am conscious of the importance of new inward investment and the potential for employment associated with the proposal, particularly in the current economic climate.
"I will therefore be asking the Planning Appeals Commission to give this matter a high priority.""I will therefore be asking the Planning Appeals Commission to give this matter a high priority."
The developers had themselves taken the unusual step of requesting a public inquiry be held into the application. 'Transparent'
'Open forum' A spokesman for John Lewis said the developers, Westfield, saw an inquiry as the "most transparent and equitable route for all parties in determining the application".
"It is understood the John Lewis chain feels this would ensure any outstanding objections could be dealt with in an open forum in line with planning policy," said BBC NI business correspondent Kevin Magee. "Throughout what has been a long and protracted planning process, John Lewis has remained fully committed to opening a full-line department store at Sprucefield, delivering a significant retail and employment boost to NI as a whole," he said.
"According to the developers the proposed development, if given the go-ahead, would cost £150m to build and generate a total of 2,000 new jobs - including 700 of them in John Lewis and more than 500 during the construction phase. "We see today's news as an opportunity to get this important £150million development back on track."
The proposed development has been opposed by traders in Lisburn, Belfast, Banbridge and Craigavon.The proposed development has been opposed by traders in Lisburn, Belfast, Banbridge and Craigavon.