Second supermarket hope for Ballynahinch

Second supermarket hope for Ballynahinch

20 May 2015

BALLYNAHINCH could be in line for a second new supermarket.

A week after it was confirmed Tesco had submitted plans to develop a major new store at Main Street, it has emerged that plans are being drawn up to reopen the former SuperValu store in Lisburn Street which closed last February.

Confirmation the SuperValu site has been earmarked for redevelopment came at a meeting of Newry, Mourne and Down Council last week. The local authority has been asked to sell a portion of land at the Lisburn Street car park at the rear of the SuperValu store to allow developers to submit a formal planning application to redevelop the site.

Councillors have been told plans are being drawn up for a class 1A retail outlet including plans for an additional 18 car parking spaces at the rear of the building.

The name of the company behind the plan to reopen the SuperValu store has not been made public and is unlikely to emerge until a formal planning application has been lodged.

Last week, members of the council’s Strategic Policy and Resources Committee agreed to sell part of the Lisburn Street car park to pave the way for the development.

Following the review of public administration and the creation of 11 new super councils in Northern Ireland, local authorities are now responsible for car parks previously managed by the Department of Regional Development.

Mr Eddie Curtis, the council’s Director of Strategy, Planning and Performance, said developers want to purchase a small area of land at the rear of the SuperValu store and will replace it with up to 18 new spaces as part of their proposal. 

Rowallane councillors Garth Craig and Billy Walker said on the back of Tesco’s plans for Ballynahinch, confirmation that plans are being drawn up to redevelop the former SuperValu site is “more good news for the town.”

Councillor Craig said it is opportune that local councils now have control over car parks as the request to sell a portion of land at the Lisburn Street car park to facilitate the new development can be agreed and expedited relatively quickly.

“We are not going to lose anything as spaces lost as a result of the proposed development will be reallocated elsewhere. I am really delighted we are are in a position to offer this additional space for development of this site which is more good news for Ballynahinch,” he added.

Councillor Walker said plans for the SuperValu site and Tesco’s plans to redevelop the Edengrove Hall location at Main Street will help kick-start the town’s economic regeneration.

“The latest application to redevelop the SuperValu store is terrific news for Ballynahinch town centre as both proposals will draw more shoppers, providing a boost for existing businesses,” he continued.

“New stores certainly have the potential to attract more shoppers and that is what Ballynahinch requires. I hope the Tesco proposal will be approved and when the SuperValu proposal is worked up and a planning application lodged that it will also get the green light,” he said. “The key aspect of both proposals is that they are redeveloping two prominent town centre locations.”

Councillor Stephen Burns said he would like reassurances that council officials will speak with business owners in Ballynahinch about the Lisburn Street proposal. He said it’s important a new supermarket does not displace any local indigenous businesses. 

“Too often, everything that glitters is not gold. If there is local agreement that the SuperValu store can proceed then I have no issue with it,” added councillor Burns.