Minister welcomes withdrawal of Craigavon court cases

Environment Minister Edwin Poots today said the way is now clear for a number of major retail developments in Craigavon to move forward.

The Minister was speaking following the withdrawal by Irwin Glenbank Ltd of a number of judicial reviews taken against the Craigavon Town Centre Boundaries Plan and against two planning approvals for retail schemes in the area.

The Minister said: “The withdrawal of these court cases is good news for Craigavon. It will provide greater confidence for the development industry in the area and has lifted the uncertainty for some major schemes – particularly the planning approval granted for a new Tesco store and the planned expansion at Rushmere Shopping Centre.

He added: “I hope these developments will now proceed quickly giving a much needed boost to local employment and the economy of the Craigavon, Portadown and Lurgan areas.”

The Minister said the decision to withdraw the cases was a victory for common sense. He said that now the uncertainty surrounding the local plan for Craigavon, Portadown and Lurgan town centres had been lifted, a sound framework for future commercial development and investment decisions in the area could be created.

Notes to editors:

1. In December 2008 Irwin Glenbank Limited, owners of the Portadown High Street Mall received leave from the High Court for a judicial review of the strategic environmental assessment undertaken for the Craigavon Town Centre Boundaries and Retail Designations Plan adopted in June 2008.
2. In early 2009 Irwin Glenbank submitted further applications seeking judicial review of planning permissions granted by the Department for an extension of the Rushmere Shopping Centre and the development of a major food retail store by Tesco both located in central Craigavon.
3. On 23 February 2010 Irwin Glenbank confirmed to the High Court that it no longer wished to proceed with its judicial reviews and withdrew all three cases.
4. All media enquiries should be directed to the DOE Press Office on 028 9054 0003. Out of office hours please contact the Duty Press Officer via pager number 07699 715 440 and your call will be returned.