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Northern Ireland Office;Planning Service

Answer

Rev. Martin Smyth: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many planning applications have been submitted in the past year for major developments with particular reference to shopping complexes in the Newtownbreda Purdysburn and Saintfield Road area of South Belfast. [65108] Mr. Paul Murphy: Responsibility for the subject in question has been delegated to the Planning Service under its Chief Executive, Mr. T. W. Stewart. I have asked him to arrange for a reply to be given. Letter from T. W. Stewart to Rev. Martin Smyth, dated 14 January 1999: The Secretary of State has asked me to reply to your recent question about planning applications for major developments with particular reference to shopping complexes in the Newtownbreda, Purdysburn and Saintfield Road areas of South Belfast. During the period January--December 1998, the Planning Service received two such major applications. One is for the development of a Class 1 foodstore and petrol filling station on lands at 170 Newtownbreda Road, Newtownbreda. The other is for a site for a retail unit, petrol filling station and park and ride facility at the junction of new Link Road, adjacent to Beechhill Road and Saintfield Road, Castlereagh. Both applications have been designated under the Article 31 procedures of the Planning (NI) Order 1991 and are at an early consideration stage. Retail and Traffic Impact Assessments have been received on both applications. No decision has yet been made on the need for a Public Inquiry to be held. You will be interested to know that the Planning Service is also considering a Crown Development submission from the Roads Service for a park and ride scheme to include car park, terminal building and small scale retail at Saintfield Road, Purdysburn Road, Castlereagh. I do hope this is helpful.

Secondary information

Type

Written question

Reference

323 c231W; 65108

Session

1998-99

Subjects

Northern Ireland Planning permission Shopping centres