'Deed of Dedication' sees Albert Basin area officially designated as public park land

Dedication of land for Newry’s £20m City Park is to be officially signed and sealed to release Stormont funding.

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The long-awaited park now looks set for major progress ahead of a projected completion date next year, but the public has been kept shut out of local authority discussions.

Newry, Mourne and Down District Council’s strategy, policy and resources committee approved the significant step this week behind closed doors.

In open session, committee chairperson Oonagh Hanlon said: “It was agreed to the signing and sealing of the Deed of Dedication as a necessary requirement of the contract for funding for Newry City Park with the Department for Communities (DfC).”

A ‘Deed of Dedication’ is a legally binding document used to formally dedicate land for specific public uses.

The major city centre development estimated to be close to £20m is set to transform the border city’s landscape.
A planning application for the park was entered earlier in April 2025.

The council’s Outline Business Case for the park was approved by DfC with up to £16.2m  available from the Executive’s Complementary Fund.

The local authority is also investing £2.4m of funding to deliver the 15-acre City Park at Albert Basin.

It's expected that subject to planning permission being received the park could be completed in early 2028.