1 Comment
The Department for Infrastructure have given Conservation Area Consent for the demolition of the Sean Hollywood Arts Centre and 2 Bank Parade and the demolition of the split deck/multi-storey car park at Abbey Way. The documents were uploaded to the NI Planning Portal at 1am this morning.
Conservation Area Consent was requested for:
- Proposed new four-storey theatre & conference centre extension to the Town Hall. Construction of atrium connecting theatre extension with town Hall. Demolition of the Sean Hollywood Arts Centre and No. 2 Bank Parade. Alterations and refurbishment of Town Hall. Public Realm proposals to portion of Sugar island, portion of Needham bridge, portion of East side of Newry canal, area around Bank Parade and Kildare Street.
- Proposed Demolition of existing split deck/multi-storey car park and construction of Civic Hub building accommodating council room, meeting rooms, council offices and associated ancillary accommodation. Associated public realm works to part
The Development Management Report said of the Sean Hollywood Arts Centre "I concur that it is of historic value and makes a positive and material contribution to the conservation area. I consider that the front façade is prominent in the Conservation area, reading collectively with the listed Town Hall when viewed from the junction of Bank Parade and Kildare Street and indeed the length of Kildare Street to the south of the site. I do not however consider that the other elevations of the SHAC, with their concrete rectangular appearance, make a significant positive contribution to the conservation area."
Commenting on number 2 Bank Parade the Report said " I therefore consider that the front elevation makes a positive contribution to the conservation area. However, I acknowledge that the building is not as readily viewed from the wider surrounding areas, unlike the front façade of the SHAC and that the rear of the building, given its derelict appearance, does not contribute to the conservation area."
The Report added "The benefits of allowing demolition of the existing buildings to facilitate the regeneration of the area which in turn will enhance the Conservation Area, coupled with the potential economic benefits of the proposal has been weighed against the disbenefit of not preserving and retaining the existing non listed buildings."
It concludes "On balance it is considered the benefits of consenting to demolition the existing buildings outweigh the disbenefit, therefore it is recommended that approval be granted."
The consent was supplemented with a 'Notice of Opinion' from DfI endorsing that consent.
In the Development Management Report for Abbey Way Car Park the Report speaking of the decked car park said "I consider this utilitarian structure to be aesthetically unappealing and unsympathetic structure with no features of distinction. In my opinion detracts from the character and appearance of the Conservation Area
and the setting of the Grade A Listed cathedral."
The Report concluded "I consider therefore that demolition of the multi-storey car park is appropriate as it does not make a material contribution to the Newry Conservation Area.
"I have also considered how the demolition element of the proposals would contribute to regenerate and reinvigorate the area and how historic buildings in the area would benefit from the development. In particular, the prominence and view of the Newry Cathedral will be retained. This weighs in favour of the proposal. For the above reasons, it is recommended that approval be granted."
A 'Notice of Opinion' endorsed the consent. This is the last outstanding item in the planning process for both projects.
