The company insists its plans have 'strong merit' and that the store will bring significant benefits to Crumlin such as 200 jobs, a wide range of goods and extra car parking for local shoppers.

They say that current planning policy promotes locating stores in town centres and their proposal is consistent with these policies.
Colin Hampsey, regional corporate affairs manager for Tesco said: "Crumlin has a rapidly increasing population and we believe that a store in the town centre would encourage more people in the area to shop locally.

"Our Clubcard data reveals that almost half the households in the Glenavy and Crumlin postcode areas are already shopping regularly with us in our other nearby stores in Lisburn and Antrim.

"A store in Crumlin would keep these customers in the area and be a catalyst for the regeneration and revitalisation of the town with local traders having the knock on of increased footfall to further grow their own businesses.

"Many of the local traders will already have a very strong and loyal customer base and will continue to offer the personal service valued by those who already shop with them. Tesco is always happy to work with local traders and the local community to develop appropriate initiatives to encourage customers to visit other shops in the area."

Tesco says that reaction of the general public at the public exhibitions on the Crumlin scheme was very positive and as a result of these meetings, Tesco reviewed the original proposal and submitted new drawings with better pedestrian access and improved road layout. They say they will also be submitting further drawings with enhanced landscaping to improve the boundary treatment for the store's neighbours at the community centre and across the railway line.