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A public consultation is being held later this month on the proposed Newry City park at the Albert Basin. The consultation taking place on Thursday 29 August is being held by Tetra Tech Consulting (NI) Ltd, on behalf of Newry, Mourne and Down District Council. Tetra Tech is currently in the process of developing plans for a City Park (public open space) with associated infrastructure on lands located between Newry River and the Newry Canal at Albert Basin, Newry.
A campaign for a city park for Newry led by community group Newry 2020, has been in progress since 2014. In November 2017 Newry, Mourne and Down District Council Councillors unanimously passed a Motion calling for a 15 acre park at the Albert Basin in the city.
Currently a Pre Planning Application Notice is progressing through the planning process and it is expected that following the consultation a full application for planning permission will be submitted.
The Consultation will take place at Newry Leisure Centre, 60 Cecil Street, Newry, BT5 6AU on Thursday 29 August 2024 between 3pm - 9pm and members of the public are welcome to call in with members of the Tetra Tech team available to answer questions.
Plans are progressing for the park but the exact make up is yet to be determined although at this stage, it is anticipated it will comprise of the following elements:
- Waterside Walkways for pedestrian and cycle access throughout the site
- Biodiversity Trail
- Urban Sports Facility
- Combined Toilet and Refreshment Building
- Play Park Facility (to cater for multiple age groups and levels of ability)
- Central Plaza area
- Boat launching slipway
- Floating pontoon and access ramp
- Watersports building
- Watersports storage area
- Natural amphitheatre
- Maintenance building
- Arboretum walk (comprising Native Tree and Shrub Species)
- Natural Play areas
- Pump Track facility
- Southern Plaza area
- Associated car parking, overspill/temporary car parking and drop off areas
A consultation notice said "As part of this process, we wish to formally invite members of the public and any interested parties to attend a public consultation event to be held at Newry Leisure Centre, 60 Cecil Street, Newry, BT35 6AU on Thursday 29 August 2024 between 3pm and 9pm, at which members of the design team will be available to talk through details of the proposed development and respond to questions attendees may have."
People attending the Public Consultation Event will be able to provide comments on the proposal via 'Comment Response Forms' utilising a 'Comment Box Facility'
A 'Physical Information Display' of the proposed development, will also be provided at:
- Newry Leisure Centre, 60 Cecil Street, Newry, BT35 6AU
- Kilkeel Leisure Centre, Mourne Esplanade, Kilkeel, Newry, BT34 4DB
- Newcastle Centre, 10-14 Central Promenade, Newcastle, BT33 0AA
- Newry Mourne and Down District Council, Downshire Civic Centre, Ardglass Rd, Downpatrick BT30 6RA
These will be during opening hours from the 30 August 2024 through to 5pm on Friday 27 September 2024. 'Comment Response Forms' and a 'Comment Box Facility' will be available alongside this 'Physical Information Display'. Sadasivabr
In addition, an 'Online Public Consultation Exhibit', on Council's website, will showcase information on the proposed development and will run from 3pm on Thursday 29 August 2024 to 5pm on Friday 27 September 2024 at www.newrymournedown.org
Those persons accessing the 'Online Public Consultation Exhibit' will be able to view and comment on the proposal using the website's email facility up until 5pm on Friday 27 September 2024. Details and further information can be obtained from, and comments can also be made direct to: Tetra Tech Consulting (NI) Ltd until close of business (5pm) on Friday 27 September 2024 via the following methods:
- In Writing to Tetra Tech Consulting (NI) Ltd, 1 Locksley Business Park, Montgomery Road, Belfast, BT6 9UP
- By Email: michael.graham@tetratech.com
- By Telephone: 028 90 706069 (Tetra Tech Consulting (NI) Ltd)
Note that any comments made to Tetra Tech Consulting (NI) Ltd in respect of the proposals are not representations to the local planning authority. If a planning application is subsequently submitted to Newry, Mourne and Down District Council, public advertisement and neighbour notification will be undertaken at that juncture and you will have the opportunity to make formal representation then as part of the planning process.
