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Paddy Leonard, 16 Jun
The decision to withdraw a planning application for an expansion of the
Marks & Spencer Foodhall and resizing of the Homebase store at Crescent
Link Retail Park has been criticised by DUP MLA Gary Middleton.
Mr Middleton has said the decision to withdraw the planning application
must prompt a re-think about the planning process.
He said: “This is an application that has been in process for several
years now and the impact of planning delays on its withdrawal cannot be
ignored.
“The proposed development would not only have improved the retail offer
in the area, but would have created up to 110 new jobs and boosted the
local economy through a £5million investment.
“There are often complaints about a lack of investment in the North
West yet the Council has presided over the delays and eventual
withdrawal of this application.
“This is not the first application which has been withdrawn, but it
must prompt a re-think of the planning process. Applications like this
which are not significant on an NI-wide level are in local hands yet
people seeking to bring jobs and investment to the area face
frustration at every turn.
“That is now going to serve as a warning to others who are looking at
potential locations for investment.”