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Newry, Mourne and Down District Council are holding a Planning Committee meeting next week with two major Council projects, the civic centre and theatre once again appearing on the agenda with a recommendation for Councillors to approve both.
Both planning applications were on the agenda for approval at the 2 October 2024 Planning Committee meeting but an eleventh hour objection meant that councillors deferred a decision on both applications.
The planning Committee meeting takes place 18 December at 1pm at Monaghan Row in Newry. Item 8 on the Agenda is the Proposed Civic Hub building accommodating council room, meeting rooms, council offices and associated ancillary accommodation. Public realm works to part of existing surface car park, part of Lower Water Street and along Mill Street. Demolition of the existing multi-storey car park and alterations to the existing road network.
Civic centre
Recommending approval for the Civic Centre planners say "The Planning Department fully appreciates there is continued opposition to this application from third parties, however having assessed and interrogated all information provided, consider there is sufficient information available to make an informed decision, whereby the proposal complies with all relevant planning policies."
Approval is recommended subject to 25 conditions one being that a retaining wall is required along the boundary of the site adjacent to Abbey Way with a legal agreement between Council and DfI that will indemnify the DfI "against any claims or failures in the public road arising from the implementation of the new civic hub and the ongoing performance of the retaining wall structure."
Theatre
Item 9 on the Agenda is Proposed new four-storey theatre and conference centre extension to the Town Hall. Construction of atrium connecting theatre extension with town Hall. Demolition of the Sean Hollywood Arts Centre and No. 2 Bank Parade. Alterations and refurbishment of Town Hall. Public Realm proposals to portion of Sugar island, portion of Needham bridge, portion of East side of Newry canal, area around Bank Parade and Kildare Street.
The Theatre is recommended for approval subject to 55 conditions.
Planning Permission was applied for in January 2023 for the theatre and in March 2023 for the civic centre. Both projects have received a substantial number of objections with objections to the civic centre focussing on a loss of car parking, cost, scale of the project as well as a detrimental visual impact on Newry Cathedral. A further objection has been received this week citing the impact of the proposal on the Historic Environment.
Objections to the Theatre included the demolition of the non listed Sean Hollywood Arts Centre and 2 Bank Parade, the design and the fact it is being built in an area that flooded in 2023.
DfI issue Direction
In a letter dated 9 October 2024 the Department for Infrastructure issued a direction to the Council under the powers conferred to it by article 17 and 18 of The Planning (General Development Procedure) Order (NI) 2015.
The direction asks Newry, Mourne and Down District Council to notify DfI if a decision is made at the Planning Committee meeting
The letter states "This direction allows the Department to have the opportunity to assess, prior to a decision being issued on the application, and decide if it requires the application to be referred to it for determination.
"This direction does not commit the Department to ‘calling’ in the application, however reserves the right for it to intervene."
Anyone wishing to have speaking rights at the meeting planned for 18 December have until tomorrow 11 December at 5pm to apply through Council Democratic Services.
