Nine Years Later and DOE Still Stalling on PPS5

Brian has welcomed the decision to deny planning permission for a massive out-of-town Tesco store which threatened the survival of the independent retail sector in Banbridge Town.

Brian Wilson said: “I am very pleased that this 12,000 square metre out-of-town store has been rejected. Had this development been allowed it would have spelt major job losses in the independent trading sector in Banbridge Town centre.”

However Mr. Wilson MLA warned that any further delays in the introduction of the Retail Planning Policy – PPS 5 which would restrict the development of out-of-town shopping centres should cause serious concern to the entire independent sector across Northern Ireland and everyone who values their town centre: “A review of PPS 5 was announced in August 2000, nine years later and the Department of the Environment is still stalling on it’s publication. It’s time to ask why? I am calling for the immediate publication of the draft PPS 5 which creates a presumption against out-of-town shopping centres. Any further delay in its publication is a threat to every town centre in Northern Ireland.”

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