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A newly published study has suggested that 6000 new homes could be built in the Newry area over 15 years as a way of helping relieve the Dublin housing pressure with more affordable homes, while providing cross border access to the labour market. Of course this is currently happening anyway, but on a much smaller scale that this new report envisages.
The report compares Newry's location to the cross border Copenhagen–Malmö corridor where many thousands cross to work in both jurisdictions following a €3.8 billion bridge investment in 2000 that unlocked over €12 billion in development within two decades.
The report titled 'Newry Next - Building a regional growth powerhouse by 2035' has been released by Paschal Taggart and Ger Perdisatt. Paschal is one of Ireland’s most experienced entrepreneurs and investors, with a business career spanning more than four decades across construction, property, regulated industries, and large-scale commercial ventures while Ger is the Founder & CEO of Acuity AI Advisory, an independent consultancy specialising in AI strategy, productivity, and systems-level transformation for organisations in Ireland, the UK and the Middle East.
The proposal relates to the North South Economic Corridor taking in Newry, Banbridge, Bessbrook, Warrenpoint and surrounding settlements. It states "The Newry - Banbridge corridor represents the island’s most natural bridge between two capital regions.
"It sits at the precise intersection of the wider Belfast–Dublin economic corridor, where infrastructure, labour, and environmental systems already overlap but remain under-coordinated."
Wastewater Capacity
Currently in this area there is a major issue with wastewater capacity with the network operating at 95–100% capacity, creating a binary constraint on development in the immediate region and delaying many housing schemes currently. The plan focuses on solving this matter which would then make the building of a large number of homes possible. The report states "This is not a planning problem, a demand problem, or a market problem. It is an infrastructure capacity problem with a capital solution."
The proposed capital solution would involve funding from PEACEPLUS 2.3 of €42-€60m, Shared Island Fund of €15-€20m and NI Water Capital Programme Money of £26m. The report also suggests complementary investments to rail and coach to have a 20/30min service as well as the provision of protected cycle lanes.
The report believes the corridor can deliver 6,000 new homes over 15 years, 3,000 + construction and 1,200 permanent jobs, and up to £1.55 billion fiscal return on a £107M - £147M enabling investment.
It adds "The resulting network of “Anchor Communities” will form a coherent, cross-border urban system sustainable, competitive, and inclusive operating as a shared economic region between Dublin and Belfast."
Endorsing the report Dr Martin McAleese said "The Belfast–Dublin economic corridor has quietly and organically evolved into a natural vibrant hub where many people live, work and commute across both jurisdictions. Right at its heart is the Newry-Banbridge region, one of the most naturally beautiful parts of the island. It is also one of the most strategically situated, brimming with potential to deliver both local and island-wide economic, social and environmental benefits which one major enabling investment could unlock.
"Wherever people live on the island and whatever their politics or perspectives, all are of one voice in wanting homes and jobs. They are ambitious for a sustainable future, a healthy environment, safe communities, good places to live and work. They can see the huge potential offered by the Newry hinterland and wonder what it will take to unlock that potential, to transform the region into a pivot for investment in jobs, people and communities."
Check out the full report at Newry Next Vision
