The company, along with joint owner Snoddon's Construction, has withdrawn the current £150m plans and will submit an alternative later this year.

Westfield faced opposition to the project, which included Ireland's only John Lewis department store along with 29 adjoining units, but was given the go-ahead last year, after the original plans were resubmitted.

Westfield's move to withdraw the application comes after a High Court judge granted a second judicial review of the decision.

Opponents of the scheme include the chambers of commerce in Lisburn and Belfast, and a group of shopping centres -the Rushmere in Craigavon, Bow St Mall in Lisburn and the new Victoria Square in Belfast.

A spokesperson, on behalf of the applicants behind the second judicial review, welcomed Westfield's decision.

"This is a welcome decision which avoids an unnecessary legal action and helps to re-focus on the bigger issue; the protection and enhancement of Northern Ireland's town and city centres," added the spokesperson.

"The John Lewis interest in Northern Ireland is very welcome but we invite them to look at urban centres here, as they do in the rest of the UK."

The new plans will reportedly feature just 20 retail units instead of the 29 initially proposed and the developers said the scheme could create up to 2,000 jobs.

Peter Miller, director of development, design and construction at Westfield, which also owns Castlecourt in Belfast city centre, said: "Westfield remains committed to delivering an exciting retail experience at Sprucefield and the substantial economic and social benefits the scheme will bring to the people of Northern Ireland."

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