NEW PLANS FOR TESCO EXTRA

Land Securities and Stoney Properties submitted their application last Monday with the new plans seeing a 20 per cent reduction in the size of the proposed store.

Developers say planning approval will open the way for investment of around 100 million locally and will be vital for sustaining the existing 500 jobs at the Outlet.

"We have thought long and hard about committing to a new application - it would have been easy to have walked away and looked at other places to invest," said a spokesperson for the developers.

"But key to the decision to submit the new application were two important factors - firstly our belief that Banbridge and Bridgewater offer a unique opportunity at one of the best locations on the island and secondly the level of genuine support from within the community for the proposal and the economic benefits it will deliver.

"After the refusal of the last application, the response by the local community made it very clear to us that the level of local support was immense and greatly outweighed the very vocal cries of a small number of local traders.

"At the public inquiry into our earlier application, the Planning Appeals Commission dismissed all reasons for refusal other than retail impact.

"In consideration of this issue, the new application will be for a smaller superstore, representing a 20 percent reduction in retail floor space.

"In light of the planning history for the project and the efforts made by all stakeholders, we would hope that Planning Service will be able to consider all planning factors expeditiously and that a decision will be issued within six months.

"Should planning permission be granted, we would then hope construction could begin before the end of the year."

"Planning permission for the application will open the way to the investment locally of some 100m, the creation of potentially 1500 jobs, annual salaries of 20-30 million and rates for the Council of some 2 million each year.

"Just as importantly, construction of the food superstore at Bridgewater will help to sustain the existing 500 jobs at The Outlet not only through the creation of the 300-400 new jobs in the store, but also through the many thousands of new visitors who will visit the site each week to shop at the store.

"Let's not forget this is the start of a new planning process - if the local community wants to help ensure that all of the potential benefits are delivered they must make sure that their local politicians and the Planning Service know it - write to them, write to the local papers and leave them in no doubt."

The siting of a Tesco Extra store at Bridgewater Park has been bitterly opposed by town centre traders who believe it will lead to Banbridge becoming a 'ghost town'.

Traders have long stated their wish that Tesco develops its existing store at Castlewellan Road.

The original application has already been turned down by Environment Ministers Sammy Wilson and Edwin Poots and an appeal to the Planning Appeals Commission was also rejected.