Business

Planners back Lidl and Heron's joint bid for £8m east Belfast development

A computer generated impression of the proposed £8m project.
A computer generated impression of the proposed £8m project. A computer generated impression of the proposed £8m project.

PLANNING officials in Belfast have recommended approving an £8 million development by Lidl and Heron Brothers in the east of the city.

The German supermarket chain’s proposal paves the way for a new 24,000 sq ft concept store at the former Hughes Christensen site on the Castlereagh Road.

The new build supermarket will replace the current store at the junction with Montgomery Road, creating an additional 13 jobs.

But in an usual move for the retailer, Lidl has partnered with Draperstown building firm Heron for the overall project, which will see its old store turned into four storage units.

The store was one the German supermarket chain’s first in Northern Ireland.

The planning proposal also seeks permission to develop eight new industrial/business units on the former Hughes Christensen site, which is owned by Heron Bros.

Around 200 jobs were lost at the Castlereagh Road drill-bit factory in 2010 after its owner Baker Hughes made the decision to shut the plant after 55 years.

Aside from the Lynas Food outlet on the site, much of the former industrial space has been vacant since 2010.

A report, prepared by planning official’s for Belfast City Council’s planning committee, states that efforts to let or sell the site had been unsuccessful.

The planning application, which has been submitted to the City Council by Lidl, states the total investment in the project will be £8m.

The new supermarket will support 35 jobs, including 13 new roles.

The planning report also states that Lidl expects its new build concept store will generate £9.93m in turnover in 2022, its first year, £2.9m more than the existing supermarket.

The recommendation to approve the development will be considered by the City Council’s planning committee today (Tuesday).