Press release

Minister defends Shore Road community from asset stripping

20 November 2012

Friends of the Earth today welcomed the decision by Environment Minister Alex Attwood to refuse planning permission for a large retail park on public land at Shore Road Belfast.

The Director of Friends of the Earth Northern Ireland said: "This decision protects valuable public space for the entire community of North Belfast. It would have been a travesty if the Minister had allowed the asset stripping of this public park, a shared community asset, for the sake of yet another retail hyperstore when a very large retail park exists nearby".

"It's time we looked at the hard evidence. By squeezing out local shops, very large supermarket chains actually result in a net loss of jobs and drain money out of local economies. By refusing this development the Minster is both protecting an important community asset and protecting local jobs."

He added :

"To the credit of the local community they have stood up to the wrong type of development and stopped Belfast City Council from trying to sell one of its public parks. This decision represents a strong message of support to the 1,700 objectors who have shown us that people power works."

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Published by Friends of the Earth Limited