South Antrim Alliance MLA, David Ford, has criticised the decision to grant planning permission for a major food store on the Ballymena Road in Antrim.
David Ford said:
“The initial decision of the planning service was to refuse this application. This was inline with policies elsewhere in the UK, were out of town shopping is not permitted if it would damage existing town centres.
“Granting this application is completely contrary to best practise elsewhere. It poses a major threat to the viability of shops in Antrim town centre and will add to traffic problems in the Ballymena Road area.
“I believe that the planning appeals commission recommendation is damaging to Antrim as a community it is now up to the DOE to work with the Council and other bodies to ensure that jobs remain within Antrim Town Centre.”