Westfield faces new legal challenge to Sprucefield extension

Belfast council and Lisburn chamber of commerce are expected to launch a fresh legal challenge against Westfield’s extension of the Sprucefield shopping centre after the Department of Environment backed the contentious scheme. Last Friday’s decision overturned last year’s judicial review hearing at Northern Ireland’s High Court, which had backed traders in Lisburn and Belfast. The traders claimed the scheme would have an adverse effect on the retail trade in both city centres. Westfield first won consent for the extension, which includes the proposed 220,000 sq ft John Lewis store and 29 shops, from Lord Rooker, then Northern Ireland Office Environment minister, in June 2005. Backing the project last Friday, environment minister David Cairns said: “The development will bring considerable economic and social benefits, including 2,000 new jobs and increased choice for shoppers in Northern Ireland.” However, this week a Belfast City Hall spokeswoman said the council was disappointed by the manner in which the Environment Minister had taken his decision. She said: “We are presently reviewing the reasons given for approval of the application and consulting with key stakeholders in the city and will shortly determine whether to initiate a further judicial review challenge.”