Write a commentFollowing on from last weeks decision to dismiss a planning challenge on the Carnbane Way project MLA Conor Murphy has said he is “deeply disappointed” at the result of the judicial review.
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Commenting on Fridays decision the Newry and Armagh MLA said “This decision, taken by the SDLP’s Mark Durkan, will not only work to the detriment of Newry but actually contravenes the SDLP’s own policies on out of town developments.
“Sinn Féin has no objection to the other aspects of this project but the retail component will be a severe blow to Newry Town Centre.
“We agree with the position taken by Newry City Centre Management Partnership which states that all retail development should take place within the city boundary, defined as a 1km radius from Newry Cathedral. The building of any massive retail developments has to be balanced with the sustainability of town centres and the protection of that centre's jobs and services.
“There is ample space within the city centre limits for such a development. The only thing that taking it out of town will achieve is to draw people away from home grown SMEs; the types of businesses that account for almost 70% of all employment in Ireland and are the lifeblood of our towns.
“I understand that the Chamber has said it intends to appeal this decision, which we will be fully backing. We cannot allow Minister Durkan’s reckless flip-flopping on this issue to endanger our town centres.”
