Asda has confirmed it is pushing ahead with plans to build a new supermarket in Newtownabbey.
The grocer secured planning approval in February 2021 to construct a new 40,000 sq ft store and petrol station at the former Nortel site in the Monkstown Industrial Estate.
The £17.5 million development was subject of a failed legal challenge by Tesco, which was thrown out in May 2023.
The retail rival issued judicial review proceedings over alleged failures and flaws in the planning approval issued by Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough Council.
The challenge was rejected at the both High Court and Court of Appeal.
Retail NI has also registered its opposition to the project, claiming it breaches town centre-first retail planning policy.
A spokesperson for Asda confirmed that it is proceeding with the Newtownabbey development.
“We are in the process of finalising the required technical approvals to begin construction,” he added.
Asda first expressed interest in the site in 2012, entering the planning process in 2015.
The company said the new store will create in the region of 250 new jobs.
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Asda currently has 18 stores in Northern Ireland and is in the process of developing a new replacement store in Downpatrick.
It comes as Lidl launched its own bid for a new build supermarket at the Monkstown Industrial Estate.
The German discounter has notified Antrim and Newtownabbey Council of its intention to build a new store next to the Spirit AeroSystems factory on the corner of Doagh Road and Monkstown Avenue.
The vacant site is located less than 400 metres from the location of Asda’s proposed new supermarket.
It’s expected to replace Lidl’s existing Newtownabbey store on Church Road.
