Expanded retail unit and garden centre at Lands located at Bridgewater Park, Cascum Road, Banbridge (adjacent to Units 2/3 (Home Bargains), Unit 4 (EZ Living)
Summary of planning committee decision
Decided by Armagh Banbridge Craigavon Planning and Regulatory Services Committee on 1 Jul 2026.
No officer report was published for this decision; this summary is from the committee minutes.
What was proposed
The application sought a larger retail unit, a repositioned garden centre and changes to the approved car park layout.
“Retrospective application for the erection of 1 retail unit (Class A1) to be used for mixed convenience and comparison floorspace (amendment to unit 10 and garden centre (Class A1) as approved under application LA08/2024/0354/F to increase the size of unit 10 from circa 1026sqm to 2052sqm) and proposed repositioning of approved garden centre with amendments to approved car park layout…”
Minutes
The site
The site was at Bridgewater Park beside existing retail units and included adjacent parking and the Game of Thrones car park.
“Site Address: Lands located at Bridgewater Park, Cascum Road, Banbridge BT32 4LF (adjacent to Units 2/3 (Home Bargains), Unit 4 (EZ Living) Unit 5/6 (M&S)) and including adjacent car parking and Game of Thrones car park.”
Minutes
Planning history
The wider Boulevard Development had considerable planning history, with the listed history focused on the immediate site area.
“There is a considerable planning history for the overall Boulevard Development. The histories listed below relate to the immediate site area and are considered to be the most relevant planning history of the site:”
Minutes
Officers recommended approval
Approval was recommended because the proposal was considered a sustainable, efficient use of the site that would not significantly harm Banbridge town centre.
“The proposal seeks permission for a new retail warehouse unit and garden centre within the established Bridgewater Retail Park, on land already zoned for mixed-use development. The site benefits from an extant permission for a significantly greater quantum of retail floorspace, and the current proposal represents a more modest and efficient use of the site.”
“The submitted Retail Impact and Need Assessment demonstrates both quantitative and qualitative need, with the proposal expected to retain local expenditure and enhance retail choice without causing significant harm to Banbridge town centre. Predicted trade diversion levels are modest and well within acceptable thresholds. The design, layout and scale of the development integrate appropriately with the existing retail park, and all technical matters including access, traffic, drainage, ecology and amenity have been satisfactorily addressed.”
Minutes
Consultation responses
consultees and environmental bodies raised no objections, with some responses subject to conditions.
“Statutory Consultees/Non-Statutory environmental bodies…”
“DAERA Natural Environment Division – (13.10.2025) – No Objection • DAERA Regulation Unit, Land and Groundwater Team – (05.09.2025) – No Objection subject to conditions • DAERA Water Management Unit – (05.09.2025) – No Objection subject to condition • DfC Historic Environment Division – (02.09.2025) – No Objection • DfI Rivers – (08.09.2025) – No Objection • DfI Roads – (30.03.2026) – No Objection subject to condition.”
Minutes
Objections received
Two objection letters from one address raised concerns about convenience retailing, town-centre trade, overdevelopment and the park-and-ride facility.
“Two objection letters from one postal address received regarding this proposal. The main issues in objection to the development is summarised as follows:”
“Objection to the proposed doubling of Unit 10 floorspace, particularly the expansion of convenience goods retailing at an out-of-town location.”
Minutes
Sources
- Armagh Banbridge Craigavon Planning and Regulatory Services Committee minutes, 1 July 2026
- Agenda and papers (council website)
Source: Plota analysis of Armagh Banbridge Craigavon's committee minutes. Quotations are the council's own words; headings and summaries are Plota's.
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- Council
- Armagh Banbridge Craigavon
- Date
- Wednesday 1 July 2026
- Committee decided
- Approved
- Minutes
- The council's minutes
- Meeting
- Agenda and papers (council website)
- Application
- View application →
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This committee's year
36 decisions in the 12 months to this meeting.
Source: Plota analysis of the committee's minutes.