Write a comment
Design work is to be progressed and a Planning Application submitted for a recreational hub at Camlough Lake, following agreement by Councillors to move the project forward at Thursday night's Council Strategy, Policy and Resources committee meeting. A total of £2.8m was awarded by the UK Goverrnment's Levelling Up Fund for the Camlough Lake facility which was the only one of three projects submitted by Newry, Mourne and Down District Council to get funded. Warrenpoint Baths Regeneration and Dunleath Park in Downpatrick failed to get funding.
Councillors also agreed to progress detailed design work and progress procurement of an IST (Integrated Supply Team/ Contractor etc) as well as approve the associated Memorandum of Understanding/ Contract for Funding.
The Agenda item at the meeting was held in private and after Councillors came out of the closed session Chairperson Cllr Oonagh Hanlon said "On the proposal of Councillor Magennis seconded by Councillor Byrne it was agreed elected members approve the following. Members agree to progress detailed design work and the submission of a planning application for the Camlough Lake recreational hub, members agree to progress procurement of an IST and members accept an offer of funding from the leveling up fund and approve the associated Memorandum of Understanding/ Contract for Funding. It was agreed that the memorandum of understanding be circulated to members as a restricted item prior to the council meeting."
Slieve Gullion Councillor Oonagh Magennis proposed the agenda item. Cllr Magennis said “The recent allocation of £2.8 million of levelling up funding to support the project has allowed us to continue moving forward with the project.
“The proposal to move to the next step will see further design works progressed with the aim of submitting a planning application, and the procurement of a contractor aiming to have the project completed by April 2025.
“Delivering this project is a priority for Sinn Féin and we will continue to work with all other groups to deliver this for the community.
“Sinn Fein is committed to developing the tourism potential of South Armagh, to boost our economy and help create jobs, securing the delivery of this project would be a key part in this goal."
As is usual the SP&R decisions have to be ratified at the March full council meeting.
