ENVIRONMENT Minister Alex Attwood refused an application for a new Asda store in Banbridge, expressing concerns over the impact which the development may have on local residents and town centre traffic.
The application included a 4,200-square metre foodstore with an unmanned petrol filling station on a site at Newry Road within walking distance of the centre of Banbridge.
Mr Attwood said he wanted to maintain the in-town/out of town retail balance.
“I have diligently applied current planning policy and law and made a decision taking all of that on board, together with the need to protect town centre trading,” he said.
“Banbridge is a town centre that has traded very well in difficult times. I believe this decision will help Banbridge town to continue trading well in ongoing uncertain times.
“The site is located within a predominantly residential area and my concerns about the proposals are shared by many within the local community.
“A large foodstore, along with its extensive car parking, would be harmful to the established character and townscape of this area and will have a detrimental impact on the amenity of nearby residents.”
The minister added:“Having carefully considered these matters and after taking account of the views and concerns of the local community, I have decided to refuse planning permission for this Article 31 major planning application.
“There are many of these in the planning system. I promised I would be decisive in resolving the majority of them in the next few months and this decision further demonstrates that.”
Glyn Roberts from the independent traders lobby group NIIRTA, which dropped a legal challenge to the approval of a new Tesco store in Banbridge, said he welcomed the minister’s decision, but questioned his rationale.
“On balance, I think it was the right decision to reject this store as it would have had a detrimental impact on traffic, local residents and the town centre,” said Mr Roberts.
“However, the refusal of this edge of town application raises a serious question – why did DOE give planning permission to a massive out of town Tesco application at Bridgewater but reject this smaller store which is closer to the town centre? There seems to be little or no continuity in DOE retail planning decisions,” he added.
A spokesperson for Asda said: “Since Tesco was granted permission for a second superstore on the outskirts of the town, we have been reviewing our options. We will now take time to study the Minister’s decision and reasons for refusing... before deciding how to progress.”
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