FIGHTING ON

IT'S looking increasingly likely that the developers of Bridgewater Park will continue their fight for a huge Tesco Extra store on the edge of Banbridge.

Although no official decision has been reached yet by the consortium, there is a possibility that they will launch a legal challenge to Environment Minister Edwin Poots' decision to turn down their planning application.

Mr Poots endorsed the opinion of the Planning Appeals Commission which was to turn the application down. The matter had been brought before the PAC after the then Environment Minister Sammy Wilson had blocked the plans.

The developers are refusing to comment on the matter other than to say they expect to be making an announcement before the end of January.

It is by no means confirmed that they will push ahead with a legal challenge as this will cost huge sums of money.

And it is because of this doubt that Banbridge councillor Seamus Doyle is calling on the community to make their feelings heard.

"This development will bring hundreds of much needed jobs to the district and will benefit us all," said Mr Doyle.

"But a message needs to be sent from the people of Banbridge to the developers letting them know they have the support of the community.

"When the application was turned down I had lots of people approaching me to express their disappointment at the decision.

"These very same people need to let the developers know they have their support.

"It will cost a huge amount of money to push ahead with this so the developers need to be sure they have the backing of local people.

"I would encourage people to write to the planners and let them know their feelings about this."

One group of people who won't be voicing their support for the proposed store is the Banbridge town traders who have opposed the development from day one, fearing it will lead to the decimation of Banbridge town centre.

They believe the out-of-town Tesco will drive shoppers out of Banbridge turning it into a 'ghost town.'

However the traders have declined to comment on the matter until an official announcement has been made by the developers.