Environment Minister Alex Attwood today refused planning permission for a retail led, mixed use development on a site at Shore Road in Belfast.

The application, which proposed a food store, retail warehousing, petrol filling station, housing, new playing pitches and recreational facilities has been the subject of significant interest from within the local community.

This is another 'Article 31' (major planning application), one in an ongoing series of large planning announcements being made by the Minister.

Commenting on his decision, Mr Attwood said: "I have given very careful consideration to this proposal, interrogating all of the issues, including the benefits put forward by the applicant. I have concluded that on balance these do not outweigh the scale of loss of the existing playing fields and parkland. This proposal would result in the loss of a significant area of open space which is of value to the residents of the area and the wider public. Accordingly I consider the proposal is contrary to planning policy. This is not the only planning consideration but it is a major one."

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The Minister continued: "The recent decision of ASDA to withdraw their interest as occupier of the proposed food store has added to the issues that I have now had to consider. I must say that this would have been a finely balanced decision had ASDA remained committed to the store. However their withdrawal means that the proposal would result in another out of town food store approximately 500m from the existing ASDA store on Shore Road and the retail impact of this additional store would be detrimental to existing centres in the area. This is also a major planning consideration.

"My concerns regarding the proposal are shared with many from within the local community – my Department received some 1,737 objections and one petition of objection containing 236 signatures. I am also aware that, in planning policy terms, the proposed development would have an impact on the surrounding road network through increased traffic movements."

(CD)