Green Pastures shop approval ‘disgraceful’
A retail body has described planning approval for a retail development by a Ballymena church as “disgraceful”.
The Northern Ireland Independent Retail Association (NIIRTA) issued the remarks after councillors gave the go-ahead for revised retail plans from Green Pastures evangelical church, based in Ballymena.
Councillors decided the fate of the food store to the south of the town after planning officials advised them to back the project.
The decision came as Mid and East Antrim councillors wielded new planning powers for the first time on Thursday morning.
Aspects of the plan, known as the ‘Gateway Project’, had been objected to by many local retailers fearing it would take business out of the struggling town centre.
The £100 million project near Ballee includes plans for a church, social housing, a health centre, and the retail superstore.
Much of the project had already been approved, but the decision on the 6100 sqm food store was deferred in January following objections.
The church resubmitted plans for a reduced shop in March, with planners advising councillors to support the project.
In a blunt response issued on social media, a NIIRTA spokesperson said: “Absolutely disgraceful decision by Mid Antrim Council approving out of town supermarket putting 100s of Ballymena town centre jobs at risk.”
They added: “Mid Antrim Council anti town centre vote sets a dangerous planning precedent for policy of 11 super councils -shameful.”
Green Pastures has not yet responded to the comments, but a message from the church on its social media page said: “And Green Pastures Church officially has planning approval! Today we got our yes and we can’t wait to see what God does with a simple little yes!”
