A delegation of Belfast traders has urged the Environment Minister to resolve legislation they believe is holding up investment in town and city centres.

Belfast Chamber of Trade and Commerce met with Edwin Poots to discuss what they called legislative and policy barriers to Belfast City Centre’s growth as a retail economic driver to recovery.

High on the agenda was the draft of Planning Policy Statement 5 on retailing and town centres, with Chamber president John Moore urging the minister to press ahead with its publication.

Mr Moore said: “It is clear the continued stasis of PPS 5 is holding up private investment in our town and city centres. We expressed our concern that without the policy receiving official weight many responsible retail developers were adopting a ‘wait and see’ approach.

“Pushing ahead would break the siege town and city centres are experiencing from inappropriate out of town developments trying to seek planning approval before PPS5’s final publication.”

The delegation also took the opportunity to raise issues around the taxi industry with the Minister and highlight how they affected business and traffic around the city centre.

The Minister said the outcome of a judicial challenge to the draft of PPS 5 is still awaited following a hearing of the review in January.