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Councillors have voted to approve Newry, Mourne and Down District Council's application for planning permission for the proposed civic hub/ council offices on Abbey Way in Newry.
Following two planning meetings this morning the application was passed with four councillors voting for, one against and one abstention. The planning application had been marked for approval by council planners in late 2024 but the application had got bogged down by objections and legal queries. Just six of the twelve councillors on the Committee were present to make the decision.
At the start of the second meeting Newry City Councillor Killian Feehan said he wanted a summary of the legal advice that was provided in respect of the issues raised at the last planning committee. The meeting then went into committee with the public excluded.
When the councillors returned Cllr Cadogan Enright said "following legal advice, I think I will withdraw from consideration of this particular planning application. I think there's quite a number of councillors in this room who should be doing the same." to which the chair Cllr Larkin said "Thank you Cadogan, safe home"
Today speaking rights in objection were requested by Andy Stephens and Canon Francis Brown, Administrator of Newry Cathedral Parish. Perhaps the best line of the day was from Canon Brown who said "I would say take up your building (using Scriptural terms) and move it to a more suitable site."
Following submissions and questions from Councillors the Chair of the Planning Committee, Cllr Larkin asked for a show of hands but Cllr Glyn Hanna requested a recorded vote.
The Vote
For: Cllr Cathal King, Cllr Mickey Larkin, Cllr Declan McAteer, Cllr Declan Murphy
Against: Cllr Glyn Hanna
Abstain: Cllr Killian Feehan
