TRADERS at Connswater Shopping Centre have said they are dismayed at planners after they refused Lidl permission to expand their store at the nearby retail park.
The budget grocer - which already operates from the Connswater park - wants to relocate to a larger unit.
But planning officials at Belfast City Council have recommended their proposals be blocked.
The 23,000 sq ft unit earmarked by Lidl is considered suitable for bulk goods such as furniture.
Planners said the proposal, if given the green light would "lead to an unjustified out of centre retail unit which would conflict with the objective of focusing main town centre uses within town and district centres".
But traders within Connswater have slammed the decision, claiming planners had "ignored" their pleas.
The shopping centre has been dealt to major blows in the past 18 months with the closure of anchor tenants Tesco and Dunnes Stores.
Traders said they were "devastated" by the planning decision given their case had received widespread support by political representatives
Jolene Gibson, chairwoman of the Connswater Traders' Association, said: "There has been unanimous support from our elected representatives for the Lidl application which would bring vital new jobs, increase footfall and would act as a catalyst for other businesses to move into the centre and retail park."
Gerry Monaghan, general manager of the shopping centre added: "We fail to understand why planning officials would recommend refusing this application in spite of there being no objections from residents, consultees or any other interested parties and despite a retail impact assessment concluding that there would be no adverse impact on any businesses in Belfast town centre or outlying areas."
The recommendation to refuse planning permission will be put before Belfast City Council's planning committee next Tuesday.
Connswater Traders' Association said it intended to make a submission to committee next week, arguing that the recommendation for refusal "fails to take into account the needs of traders and the residents of the area".
A spokeswoman for Lidl said it was "naturally disappointed" at the recommendation.
"Lidl plans to address the council’s planning committee in respect of the application and outline the positive impact that a new Lidl store can bring to the Connswater area," she said.
"We hope that it will be persuaded to grant planning permission. We would like to thank everyone who has supported our application so far and would like to take this opportunity to thank the Connswater Traders' Association for their ongoing support."
Lidl has been on a major growth trajectory across the north over the past number of years.
The German-owned retailer is the fastest growing grocer in Northern Ireland.
Sales at Lidl have jumped 10.5 per cent over the past year, giving it a 5.2 per cent share of the overall market.
