Write a commentNewry, Mourne and Down Council have replied to a statement published on Newry.ie by a group called 'Carlingford Lough Community'. The group had expressed concerns about the way Warrenpoint is being developed suggesting that the Port at Warrenpoint has taken precedent over all other development in the area. The story entitled "Group expresses concerns over Warrenpoint development" was published 24 July on Newry.ie.
The group claimed that Newry, Mourne and Down Council's tourism strategy still hasn't been delivered in the area and that the council "failed to undertake a HRA" (Habitat Regulation Assessment) in regards to a CO2 facility at Warrenpoint Port.
In reply a council spokesperson said “Newry, Mourne and Down District Council’s Enterprise, Regeneration and Tourism Directorate has not yet had any engagement with the Carlingford Lough Community Residents’ Group nor has it received a request to meet with the group to discuss any of the issues raised in their statement. The Council continues to welcome opportunities to meet with such groups.
Wake the Giant
The statement continued "The Council’s Tourism Strategy, approved in 2017, sets out a vision and plan to grow the local tourism industry over a four-year period. During this time the Council has delivered events such as the Wake the Giant Festival in Warrenpoint, which has generated an estimated £1.8m in economic impact for the town and wider-district. Programmes and activities have been delivered to support local tourism and hospitality businesses in developing new visitor experiences, driving business growth and, most recently, supporting businesses and providers through the impact of COVID-19. The Council continues to maintain tourism infrastructure and to support calls for major investment in tourism-related developments in Warrenpoint and the wider-area, such as the new public-realm developments.
HRA
Referring to the HRA comment the statement added "In relation to the Habitat Regulation Assessment cited, a planning application to construct a carbon dioxide storage facility was submitted to the previous planning authority, the Department of the Environment and Local Government, in March 2015. Responsibility for the planning application transferred to Newry, Mourne and Down District Council on 1 April 2015 and the Council granted planning permission in October 2015. The Council is satisfied that an appropriate level of assessment was carried out in respect of all aspects of the proposed development and its likely impacts, and that the decision to grant planning permission was soundly based.”
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