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Newry, Mourne and Down District Council planners have recommended that planning permission is refused on the long awaited Warrenpoint health and wellbeing community hub. The hub is a Council project.
Details behind the recommendation are scarce as despite being listed in the latest Planning Committee Agenda the report documenting the position isn't included, instead "Report to follow" is stated. Out of 18 planning applications included in the agenda it's the only one without the report included. The proposal is up for decision at the Council Planning Committee meeting later this month.
Council in 2023 expected the project to be completed in December past but progress has been slow through planning. "It is expected the new facility will require an investment of £7.1m and will be delivered by December 2025."
Provision of sufficient parking seems to be an issue with the Department for Infrastructure explaining this as a reason to recommend refusal in a letter in January 2026. In reply Resolve Planning correspondence on behalf of the applicant (council) uploaded 5 February to the planning portal suggests this is not necessary as the multi purpose hall in the facility wouldn't be used by more than 22 people at a time!
"We wish to reiterate that there is no intention for the hall to be used for large-scale seated events, concerts or performances of this nature. While reference to a 250-person capacity was included in an early 2018 business case, this requirement was ruled out at an early stage in the design process. The hall is intended for day-to-day community activities such as yoga and pilates classes, Slimming World meetings, dance classes, indoor football training, indoor bowls, martial arts classes and children’s parties."
The correspondence adds that Newry, Mourne and Down District Council would be happy agreeing to a condition stating "The multi-purpose hall shall accommodate no more than 22no. users during any one session."
The provision of a Community Centre for the town has long been mooted with the disused police station a suggested site at one stage. The council's Active and Healthy Communities 20 November 2018 approved a feasibility study "It was agreed on the proposal of Councillor Ó Muíri, seconded by Councillor Hyland to: Accept the recommendations within the feasibility report for Warrenpoint Community Facility, including preferred location (Clonallon Park); Proceed with a green book appraisal, assessing the two design options for Clonallon Park, contained within the report."
The new development is indeed planned for Clonallon Park with the address given as "Existing area of open space and car park to the west of Warrenpoint Bowling Green, Clonallon Park, Clonallon Road, Warrenpoint"
The application
"Development of new 2-Storey community facility building and outdoor space to include children’s terrace, community garden workshop, bin store area, hard and soft landscaped areas, street furniture, cycle parking, car parking, external lighting and new pathways connecting to the existing pedestrian network. Replacement of existing play park with 'health and wellbeing garden'. Works to include temporary construction compound, underground drainage system (NIE Substation)and all associated site works. Vehicular access to the site and bowling club retained off Clonallon Road (Amended Site Layout and Building Height)"
Councillors will make a decision at the Council Planning Committee meeting 25 February in Downpatrick.
