Shopping giant 'disappointed' as environment minister cites concerns over damage to Banbridge town centre

The planning appeals commission in Northern Ireland has blocked plans to build the largest store in Ireland for the second time.

Environment minister Edwin Poots accepted recommendations to block the store, close to Banbridge. Tesco said it was disappointed by the outcome.

The retailer had submitted plans to build a 130,000 sq ft store at the Bridgewater Park Complex in County Down.

Objectors claimed the development would have damaged Banbridge town centre.

Tesco already has a store in the town, which it has pledged to keep open for at least 10 years.

The minister said he blocked the scheme because he was worried about a loss of jobs in the town, but disctict councillor, Seamus Doyle, said that the store would have brought 600 jobs to the area as well as £500,000 in rates.

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