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| Version 1 | Version 2 |
|---|---|
| John Lewis: Attwood not changing his mind on Sprucefield decision | John Lewis: Attwood not changing his mind on Sprucefield decision |
| (about 3 hours later) | |
| Environment Minister Alex Attwood has said he will not be changing his mind over his decision to limit further development on the site of a planned John Lewis store near Lisburn. | Environment Minister Alex Attwood has said he will not be changing his mind over his decision to limit further development on the site of a planned John Lewis store near Lisburn. |
| John Lewis has withdrawn its plans for a department store at Sprucefield. | John Lewis has withdrawn its plans for a department store at Sprucefield. |
| They cited Mr Attwood's controversial decision to limit further development in the area to "bulky goods". | They cited Mr Attwood's controversial decision to limit further development in the area to "bulky goods". |
| Lagan Valley MP Jeffrey Donaldson has criticised the minister and said it was a "dark day". | Lagan Valley MP Jeffrey Donaldson has criticised the minister and said it was a "dark day". |
| "It has been going on now for nine years, John Lewis have patiently persevered with a planning system that has rocked them back and forward," he said. | "It has been going on now for nine years, John Lewis have patiently persevered with a planning system that has rocked them back and forward," he said. |
| "£150m of investment and 1,500 jobs and what is the message that Alex Attwood is sending out today, well it is if this situation persists we are closed for business. | "£150m of investment and 1,500 jobs and what is the message that Alex Attwood is sending out today, well it is if this situation persists we are closed for business. |
| "I think this is absolutely disastrous in the middle of the worst recession we have experienced for years." | "I think this is absolutely disastrous in the middle of the worst recession we have experienced for years." |
| Mr Attwood said that if the planning minister made decisions on what commercial interests might decide the planning department would be "chasing its tail day after day and month after month". | Mr Attwood said that if the planning minister made decisions on what commercial interests might decide the planning department would be "chasing its tail day after day and month after month". |
| "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," he added. | "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," he added. |
| "I think my advice is right, timely and proportionate." | "I think my advice is right, timely and proportionate." |
| There is no other retailer that seems to excite the passions of consumers like John Lewis. | |
| It is a kind of Disneyland for some shoppers, where they expect their dreams to come true. | |
| But let's try and be dispassionate for a moment. | |
| The Sprucefield plans, which include 19 retail units, were to have been considered by the Planning Appeals Commission (PAC) in March. | The Sprucefield plans, which include 19 retail units, were to have been considered by the Planning Appeals Commission (PAC) in March. |
| However, the consortium behind the plans said uncertainty over planning meant they "cannot proceed to inquiry". | However, the consortium behind the plans said uncertainty over planning meant they "cannot proceed to inquiry". |
| The application was made by the developer Sprucefield Centre Ltd - a joint venture between the Australian property firm Westfield and the local developer, Snoddons. | The application was made by the developer Sprucefield Centre Ltd - a joint venture between the Australian property firm Westfield and the local developer, Snoddons. |
| Last month, Mr Attwood confirmed that a new area plan would limit further development at Sprucefield. | Last month, Mr Attwood confirmed that a new area plan would limit further development at Sprucefield. |
| Now, the consortium have confirmed they have withdrawn the application, citing the minister's decision. | Now, the consortium have confirmed they have withdrawn the application, citing the minister's decision. |
| Planning policy | Planning policy |
| In a statement, they said they had been committed to investing more than £150m into Northern Ireland and create more than 1,500 retail jobs. | In a statement, they said they had been committed to investing more than £150m into Northern Ireland and create more than 1,500 retail jobs. |
| "Over the last nine years John Lewis has clearly and consistently stated that, having reviewed all available options, Sprucefield is the only suitable location to develop a new full line department store in Northern Ireland," they said. | "Over the last nine years John Lewis has clearly and consistently stated that, having reviewed all available options, Sprucefield is the only suitable location to develop a new full line department store in Northern Ireland," they said. |
| However, the consortium said they would review their position once the executive had clarified the planning policy. | However, the consortium said they would review their position once the executive had clarified the planning policy. |
| "John Lewis has reiterated its continued interest in opening a new department store at Sprucefield," they said. | "John Lewis has reiterated its continued interest in opening a new department store at Sprucefield," they said. |
| Last Friday, First Minister Peter Robinson said the issue of retail policy was "a matter for the whole of the executive to take a decision on, and not just for one minister". | Last Friday, First Minister Peter Robinson said the issue of retail policy was "a matter for the whole of the executive to take a decision on, and not just for one minister". |
| A planning application for the 500,000 sq ft development was first made in 2004. | A planning application for the 500,000 sq ft development was first made in 2004. |
| Objectors have said the scale of the Sprucefield project would damage town centres. Supporters have said it will bring jobs. | Objectors have said the scale of the Sprucefield project would damage town centres. Supporters have said it will bring jobs. |
| The planned development at Sprucefield was said to have been one and a half times the size of the Castlecourt shopping centre in Belfast. | The planned development at Sprucefield was said to have been one and a half times the size of the Castlecourt shopping centre in Belfast. |
| John Lewis had committed to being the anchor tenant at the development. | John Lewis had committed to being the anchor tenant at the development. |
| The project has faced a series of legal challenges from some Lisburn traders who fear it could damage city centre shopping. | The project has faced a series of legal challenges from some Lisburn traders who fear it could damage city centre shopping. |
| Rival retail landlords have also opposed it. | Rival retail landlords have also opposed it. |