Controversial development gets formal permission

A controversial proposed retail and leisure development on the outskirts of Belfast was given formal planning permission today.

Stormont Environment Minister Sam Foster gave the go-ahead for the ‘‘D5’’ site which has been the subject of a fierce legal battle between his department, Belfast and North Down Councils and Belfast Chamber of Trade and Commerce.

There are plans for a food superstore, retail warehouse park, leisure complex including a multiplex cinema, fast food restaurants, adventure playground, petrol station, car parks and landscaping on the site which is on the Belfast harbour estate.

A judicial review brought by Belfast City Council, Belfast Chamber of Trade and Commerce and North Down Borough Council quashed planning permission for ‘‘D5’’ last September.

However in February, the Court of Appeal ruled in favour of the department, resulting in today’s processing of the planning application.

A petition seeking permission to challenge the Court of Appeal’s judgment has been submitted directly to the House of Lords by campaigners against the development.