The new plan to guide future retail development decisions in Lurgan, central Craigavon and Portadown town centres was published by the Planning Service on Monday.

Commenting on the adopted proposals Chairman of Lurgan Forward Charles Gardiner, said: “The adopted proposal appears to have failed in any measure to alleviate or address the concerns expressed by Lurgan Forward during the course of our submissions over the past three years to the Planning Service.

"Lurgan Forward will be considering the full impact of the policy and intends to liaise closely with Craigavon Borough Council to determine a course of action that will compensate for any limitations that the policy may impose upon the town.”

The 'Craigavon Town Centre Boundaries and Retail Designations Plan 2010' is the culmination of three year’s work and in essence provides a framework for future planning decisions in the town.

The document defines town centre areas for both Lurgan and Portadown. It also designates a large portion of land around Rushmere shopping centre as Craigavon's 'town centre'.

Indeed there was no surprise in the document with Rushmere identified as Craigavon's ‘Primary Retail Core’.

Giving further scope for development in Craigavon the town centre designation covers an area stretching from the Parkmore Roundabout in the south west corner to halfway along lake road in the south east, following the shoreline of the lake to the boundary of lakelands in the north east.

Moving west and north the boundary takes in the rear of the Rushmere complex with Highfield Road as its western boundary - taking in the Courthouse, Marlborough House and Marlborough Retail Park.

Unlike the traditional town centres of Lurgan and Portadown there is no provision included for primary retail frontage – the traditional shop front.

For Lurgan the shop frontage has been designated as both sides of Market Street from Windsor Avenue to Castle Lane and on the Castle Lane side of Market Street to the old post office, the other side of the street has not been designated.

In terms of the town centre designation the boundary runs along the Tesco side of Millennium Way (cutting out retail opportunities on the Kitchen Hill side) with Malcolm Road and Johnstons Row as the south east boundary. Stevenson Park defines the north east boundary – with the line also taking in Lidl.

To the north west William Street to the junction of Charles Street is included – with the CIDO Complex within the boundary.