Supermarket plans meet opposition

Forestside shopping centre is in the same area

About 400 residents have attended a public meeting to oppose proposals to build four new supermarkets in south Belfast.

They are demanding a public inquiry into plans to site two supermarkets on the Newtownbreda Road - one at Hydebank playing fields and the other on the site of the old forensic science laboratory.

Two other applications for developments at Beechill Road and Stranmillis have already gone to the public inquiry stage.

Not all four will get planning permission but the concern is that at least one or two of them will

Monica McWilliams
Women's Coalition

Residents voiced their concerns at a public meeting in Newtownbreda on Tuesday night.

South Belfast assembly member Michael McGimpsey, who attended the meeting, said he understood the residents' worries.

"It will greatly increase the density and volume of traffic," said the Ulster Unionist.

"We see that these shopping developments have a huge traffic flow, particularly at weekends."

Playing fields

Womens' Coalition assembly member Monica McWilliams said the concern was that the two most recent proposals on the Newtownbreda Road have not gone to planning inquiry.

"Part of the concern was that playing fields at Hydebank were being sold.

"They were absolutely furious that the little bit of green space left in their area for kids to kick a ball about had been sold off by Castlereagh council," she said.

"Not all four will get planning permission but the concern is that at least one or two of them will."

The three proposals in the Newtownbreda area are within a mile of the Forestside shopping complex.

Residents have said there is no need for another large supermarket in south Belfast.