COUNCIL PUSHES ARDS AS PLANNING INQUIRY PRIORITY

Ards Borough Council has taken another step in the push to ensure Newtownards is treated as a priority in the 'queue' for public planning inquiries.

A cross-party delegation from the Council met with the Planning Appeals Commission's Chief Commissioner, Marie Campbell, last week (Friday 8th January) to stress the significance of moving planning decisions forward on three major retail proposals for the benefit of the local economy.

Decisions are still outstanding on proposed retail development at Ards Shopping Centre, Castle Bawn and in the town centre, with further planning inquiries awaited in other parts of Northern Ireland, including Sprucefield, Londonderry, Strabane and Craigavon.

"Well over five years has elapsed since the first of three strategic retailing applications proposed for Newtownards was lodged with the Planning Service. All three applications have been retained in an internal debate by the Planning Appeals Commission and the Planning Service since November 2008 and since then investment has been put on hold, with a resultant loss of jobs, revenue and visitors to the town and its wider environs," said Councillor Angus Carson, Chairman of the Council's Development Committee.

"As the cross party delegation unequivocally told the Chief Commissioner, the town and the wider economy it supports, cannot be considered as anything other than a critical priority for both the Planning Service and the Planning Appeals Commission", underlined Derek McCallan, the Council's Director of Development. "Newtownards and the Ards Borough as a whole must be offered a clear date, timetable and agenda for a business like, robust Inquiry leading to decisions for sustainable commercial development".

Alderman Jim Shannon MLA, Councillor Simon Hamilton MLA, Councillors Angus Carson, Jim McBriar and Terry Williams, together with the Council's Chief Executive, Mr Ashley Boreland, and the Director of Development, Mr Derek McCallan, attended the meeting with the Chief Commissioner. The Council will now meet the Head of the Planning Service's Strategic Division, Mr Tom Clarke, to continue making an evidence-based case for the town.