Bloomfield plan sparks trader fears

PLANS for a 4000 square metre extension to Bloomfield Shopping Centre have been approved this week.

The ambitious scheme for more retail space has been met with fierce objection from North Down Borough Council.

Democratic Unionist Councillor Alan Leslie said that the move could spell the death of the town centre.

On Tuesday night (16th), the council´s planning committee, which has only a consultative role on planning matters, deferred the application to the Planning Management Board for a second look.

With only three objections though, this last ditch appeal is likely to be rejected, it was warned.

Planning chief Andrew Hay said, "The plans would see units built on either side of the entrance to the mall, with units expanded to the front of the M&S side.

"There will also be changes to the entrance and remodelling of existing units within the mall.

"The centre will also be extended out to the service yard at the back - none of which will be on public view."

The character will be in keeping with Mothercare and Hannah & Browne next to the other entrance of the shopping centre, Mr Hay told councillors.

"In respect of the retail floor space this will include new units, a new entrance and there will be a reduction in the number of existing units," he added.

"Some of these will be knocked together and made into bigger units. Ultimately the number of units is decreasing from 45 to 33."

Furious Councillor Alan Leslie told the committee, "The extension could lead to the death of the town centre.

"We have Bloomfield Shopping Centre growing and growing and we also see Roads Service are bringing in more car parking charges so I would like to ask the Planning officer to look at this in future and make sure we’re not getting extension after extension because this seems to be failing the town centre."

Mr Hay, from the government Planning Service, said that a Retail Impact Assessment found that the town centre is unable to accommodate such a vast amount of retail space.