Northern Ireland

Asda planning permission for Newtownabbey store described as 'kick in the teeth for local independent retailers'

Asda said the £17.5 million development will generate up to 250 local full time and part time jobs. Picture by Chris Radburn/PA Wire
Asda said the £17.5 million development will generate up to 250 local full time and part time jobs. Picture by Chris Radburn/PA Wire Asda said the £17.5 million development will generate up to 250 local full time and part time jobs. Picture by Chris Radburn/PA Wire

A DECISION to grant planning permission for a new £17.5 million Asda store at the former Nortel site in Newtownabbey has been described as a "kick in the teeth for local independent retailers".

The 40,000 sq ft development on the Doagh Road was approved by Antrim and Newtownabbey borough council's planning committee.

Asda, which first submitted a planning application in 2015, said the development will generate up to 250 local full time and part time jobs.

An Asda spokesman said the planning process "has been lengthy, reflecting the careful assessments carried out by the council, its officers and independent advisers".

"The planning committee’s decision follows the overwhelming support for the development which we received during our public consultation," he said.

"It will bring new jobs to the area and offer Newtownabbey shoppers low prices and great value every time they shop in Asda."

But Glyn Roberts from Retail NI has criticised the move, which he said would impact independent retailers already "struggling with the pandemic".

"It is a shameful decision based upon exaggerated claims of new jobs being created and completely ignored the concerns of local independent retailers and small businesses," he said.

"As we have seen before with countless other out-of-town superstores, these always destroy and displace existing town centre retail jobs. Newtownabbey has a distinctive retail environment with a significant number of local neighbourhood retailers who are the life blood of the community.

"Out-of-town retail development, due to poor historical planning decisions, is the main reason Northern Ireland has the highest town centre retail vacancy rate in the UK.

"Given that our high streets are facing a very uncertain future, granting permission for another out-of-town superstore is the very last thing they need."