Ballynahinch store plan

Ballynahinch store plan

14 January 2015

REVISED plans have been lodged for the expansion of the SuperValu store in Ballynahinch.

While the Lisburn Street outlet is due to close next month, an updated planning application seeking permission to provide a new 20,000 sq. ft. super store at the site — complete with underground parking and an atrium at the rear — has been lodged with local planning chiefs.

Plans to redevelop the store, which is privately owned and backs on to a Roads Service car park, were exclusively revealed in the Recorder 12 months ago.

The prominent building has been 

at the heart of town centre retailing for a number of years, with residents who live adjacent to the store informed this week that the proposed redevelopment proposal is still alive, despite 

the imminent closure of the SuperValu outlet.

Tesco, which last week abandoned plans for a new 15,000 sq. ft. store in Carryduff, has been keen to move into Ballynahinch for a number of years and initially planned to build a major new store in the town centre.

Ballynahinch traders have always opposed out-of-town supermarkets but have indicated they would welcome a store in the town centre as it would generate increased footfall.

It has emerged that as a result of revised plans for the proposed superstore being lodged last week, the Rivers Agency has indicated there is no increase in flood risk elsewhere as a result of the redevelopment proposal.

In addition, the Roads Service has indicated it would be willing to sell part of the car park it owns at the rear of the existing Ballynahinch store.

Agents acting on behalf of the developers are optimistic the redevelopment proposal will help regenerate the centre of Ballynahinch.

They say the existing store is in “need of redevelopment” with the proposal meeting current planning policy.

The agents argue the loss of the main foodstore in Lisburn Street and the non-redevelopment of the site would open opportunities for development of out-of-town centre sites.

Councillor Anne McAleenan hopes a tenant can be found for the redeveloped store given that the shutters are due to come down at the SuperValu outlet for the final time in the near future.

She hopes planning permission can be secured to allow the redevelopment of the new store and believes such a prime location is an “attractive business proposition.”

Councillor McAleenan said that given work is nearing completion on a town centre environmental improvement programme and a new masterplan has been launched, “things could be looking up for Ballynahinch.”

She continued: “Work is underway in the town centre to spruce up shop fronts and I believe Ballynahinch has a lot to offer investors.

“A major tenant at the proposed store would attract more people into the town centre and give Ballynahinch a real buzz again.

“Attracting more shoppers will enable them to see what’s on offer at the wealth of local shops and businesses. The new store has the potential to provide people who would not normally shop in Ballynahinch with a welcome opportunity to explore what businesses have to offer.”