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A judicial review has been formally lodged challenging Newry, Mourne and Down District Council's approval of the controversial Civic Centre development, with a solicitor claiming the council made serious procedural errors in granting planning permission for the £30-35m project.
Ciarán O'Hare Solicitor of McIvor Farrell Law Firm confirmed yesterday Thursday 19 November that proceedings were issued on behalf of his client, Mr Paul Lennon, to challenge the planning approval granted by the council on 20 August 2025. The proposed development would see council offices, meeting rooms, a public hub and associated public realm works built at the Abbey Way multi-storey car park using local ratepayers' money.
O'Hare believes the legal challenge rests on what he describes as strong and multifaceted grounds. "My client has issued proceedings and contends that NMDDC made serious procedural errors, including failures around consultation, transparency, environmental considerations and the correct application of planning law," he stated.
The scheme has proved deeply divisive locally, with more than 2,600 objections submitted by residents. Newry Cathedral Parish has been particularly vocal in raising concerns about the loss of historic car parking, especially for churchgoers, given the development's proximity to Newry Cathedral. Many objectors have also pointed to what they see as flaws in how the planning process was handled.
Speaking of the decision to grant planning permission Paul Lennon said: “I am deeply troubled by the decision to grant planning permission for this Civic Centre, particularly in light of the overwhelming public objection, in that 2,600 formal objections were lodged. On top of that, more than 2,500 parishioners signed a petition opposing the scheme. My fear is that this project has been advanced without proper respect for our community’s voice, especially for those of us whose daily lives, access to parking, and connection to Newry Cathedral are being fundamentally altered. These are not abstract planning debates, they are real, lived concerns for the people of Newry.
"In my view, this project is not a good use of public funds, especially given that Newry, Mourne & Down District Council now carries the highest debt of any council in Northern Ireland, over £68 million as recently revealed. This is not just a planning issue. It is a question of financial prudence, community voice, and accountability; and the burden now falls on an ordinary resident like me to ensure that this decision is scrutinised.”
Questions have been raised about potential procedural irregularities, including claims of a £8,000 shortfall in the planning fee paid by the council at the time of application, which has led to further concerns over whether the planning process was valid. The application's path to approval has been far from smooth, with a planning committee meeting that was due to grant approval deferred at short notice.
Objectors have consistently argued that the council failed to meet its legal obligations to properly consult the community before reclassifying the scheme from a "local" to a "major" application.
O’Hare said: “My client has launched this judicial review challenge because the issues set out are of fundamental importance, not just to him, but to the ratepayers of Newry, Mourne and Down Council and the rest of the population, given the systemic nature of same. The case raises pressing questions about how large public projects are delivered, how public voices are heard, and how Councils are held to account under the planning system.”
He added: “We anticipate that the Court will list this matter for review within the next few weeks. At that time, we will ask the Court to grant permission for judicial review and to scrutinise the legality of the Council’s approval.”
The judicial review will now proceed through the courts, where the validity of the planning approval process will be scrutinised. The outcome could have significant implications for the council's plans to proceed with the current estimated £30-35 million development.
