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Councillors from Newry, Mourne and Down District Council have approved the planning application for the proposed Newry Civic Centre/ Council Offices. The application for a "Proposed Civic Hub building accommodating council room, meeting rooms, council offices and associated ancillary accommodation. Associated public realm works to part of existing surface car park."
Today's meeting saw Councillors agree with a recommendation by the Council's Planning Department to approve the project.
A long discussion ensued during the planning meeting held at Monaghan Row in Newry with the emphasis being on issues around removal of car parking spaces at the proposed facility.
Objecting to the proposals at the meeting were Andy Stephens, supported by Mr Simon Warke, Canon Francis Brown and Anthony Patterson. In support of the proposals Ben Aston and Kieran Carlin also spoke.
Opponents to the planning application spoke out on what they saw as the failure of planners to consider the CONSARC report, outdated parking surveys, and the significant net loss of 893 parking spaces. Concerns were expressed about the loss of car parking on elderly parishioners. They also argued that the proposal overdevelops a constrained site and ignores the impact on the Newry Cathedral.
Canon Francis Brown pointed out that "The Cathedral has a capacity of 1000 people and for a large funeral, a wedding, weekday Masses, Sunday Masses, people need to be near the cathedral, so the removal of any car parking is a disaster for the parishioners." He added "church users will not be able to park beside a church that they've been able to park beside for 200 years."
Canon Brown explained "The Cathedral is not opposed to change, but the lack of engagement by the Council with its nearest and oldest neighbours, from 1829 has resulted in significant anger and frustration towards the proposal. There has been a disregard for the concerns of our congregation, businesses and residents. The council has acted as if we do not exist, and that the views and opinions of Newry Cathedral and its parishioners simply do not matter."
Supporters defended the project, citing compliance with regional and local planning policies, the creation of modern office space and claimed it would attract people to the city centre, potentially benefiting local retail. The council's site selection process was also defended, highlighting Abbey Way as their preferred option of what they said was over 30 sites considered.
Mark Priestly from Hamilton Architects said "Hamilton Architects have been supporting the Council with the design of the new Civic hub, which is a core component of Newry City Centre Regeneration Programme and is supported by Belfast Region City Deal. The project stems from the need to consolidate and rationalise the Council's estate within Newry and adapt to flexible working in the post pandemic era."
He added "The proposed Civic hub will breathe new life into this part of the city centre and make a positive contribution to the conservation area and surrounding built heritage."
Councillor Cadogan Enright withdrew from the debate "I'm going to have to withdraw because I got advice from the the local Government Ombudsman, and there's a danger of pre-determination in my case. I couldn't get legal advice from the Chief Executive"
Chair of the Planning Committee Cllr Declan Murphy proposed the Committee approve the application with Cllr Cathal King seconding it. A show of hands saw 7 for, 1 against and 1 abstention.
