Council in discussions to lease North Street Car Park

A major city centre free car park used by business staff in Newry could be set for a council take-over.

The local authority move comes as a controversial plan for its new £20m civic centre is due to be hit with a petition of objection from thousands of concerned parishioners.

The Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS) understands that the North Street car park, could potentially generate hundreds of pay zone spaces for Newry, Mourne and Down District Council (NMDDC) in line with the construction of its new offices at the nearby Abbey Way.

An objection to the civic centre is due to be submitted by parishioners of  Newry Cathedral, who believe the new council building will negatively affect parking spaces for Mass-goers on the same site.

The North Street site is located across a dual carriageway, approximately 150 yards away from the Abbey Way location.

A council spokesperson confirming the North Street proposal to the LDRS, said: “Through the Newry City Centre Regeneration (NCCR) Programme, NMDDC has been engaging with the Department for Communities (DfC) in respect of a potential lease of land at North Street for the provision of a surface carpark in Newry city.

“DfC is content for the council to proceed with design proposals for the site and submit the necessary planning application to secure approval, whilst discussions on the lease continue.”

NMDDC has now also submitted a proposal for 49 free car park spaces for staff at Cecil Street close to the Newry Leisure Centre .

The NI Planning Portal application states the Cecil Street carpark: “Will be for the use of council staff working at the proposed civic hub located off Abbey Way, Newry.

“All spaces will be free of charge and access will be controlled through a barrier system accessible via a fob.”