New application for Sprucefield store will exclude plans for 19 other shops

A new planning application for a John Lewis department store at Sprucefield, County Down, will exclude plans for 19 other shops, according to Lagan Valley MP Jeffrey Donaldson.

Mr Donaldson will meet the site’s owners INTU later this week.

He says the new application could include a hotel along with the department store.

The additional shops were one of the controversial aspects of the former planning application.

It was withdrawn in 2013.

Mr Donaldson says the new application will be made later this year.

Last week, the High Court ruled that Environment Minister Mark Durkan had no legal power to approve a new planning blueprint for Greater Belfast without consent from his Executive colleagues.

Mr Donaldson said the ruling paved the way forward for fresh proposals for John Lewis.