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Despite demolition being discussed by Newry, Mourne and Down District Council over three years ago, for the large store building at the Albert Basin in Newry, no demolition work has been done. The structure has been the subject of at least three large fires over the years, in 2012, 2021 and again this year which have resulted in extensive damage to the building.
The site, a complete eyesore is earmarked for the new Newry City Park but instead of being cleared, the area continues to get more cluttered with the addition of a large mobile classroom in recent months.
An action sheet dated 30/6/22 on the agenda for the Sustainability and Environment Committee meeting held on 18 October 2022 discussing Christmas illuminations noted that storage for the lights has been a problem since the fire in 2021 and added "Albert Basin store is to be demolished and all stored illuminations will be destroyed."
The Business Case for the demolition of Albert Basin Store and associated environmental clean was discussed in closed session away from the public at the 21 March 2023 Sustainability and Environment Committee meeting and when councillors came out of closed session, Committee Chairwoman, Councillor Oonagh Magennis confirmed that it was agreed by Councillors to appoint a contractor to demolish the store.
Cllr Magennis said "Item 11 is the business case for the demolition of Albert Basin store and associated environmental clean. On the proposal of Councillor Murphy, seconded by Councillor McKevitt, it was agreed to note the content of the report, approve the findings of the business cases presented. The business case concluded that option three was the preferred option. Option three would see the appointment of a contractor under the Council's Civil Engineering and Minor Works framework to demolish the store and undertake an environmental clean-up plant and materials to be retained. Once environmentally cleaned, items owned by third parties would be returned to them through signed agreements and to liaise with user groups close by the store on the waterway."
Community Group Newry 2020 started campaigning for a city park at the site in 2014 which would obviously require the store to be removed. Councillors agreed at the Strategic Policy and Resources council meeting in November 2017 to build a 15 acre park on the site "within the next council term". Unfortunately this didn't happen and 11 years later work on the park hasn't even started. Currently a planning permission application has been submitted but at this stage it's not know how long this will take.
Newry.ie has asked council for comment.
