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Newry City Councillor Killian Feehan has submitted a motion to Newry Mourne and Down District Council to take action to tackle dereliction in Newry and Downpatrick, proposing that the Council should be doing more to incentivise and encourage the restoration of derelict and dilapidated buildings. His motion wasn't heard at Monday nights full Council meeting but was referred to the Economy, Regeneration and Tourism committee meeting.
Cllr Feehan emphasised the importance of this effort in boosting local business, enhancing civic pride, and improving quality of life. A detailed implementation plan is expected within three months, with collaboration sought from key government departments and funding schemes.
Cllr Feehan said: "I have spoken to a lot of people in Newry who are really annoyed about the appearance of the town. The number of derelict and dilapidated buildings are rightly being pointed out as an eyesore and a sign of neglect."
He added: "This is a serious problem for a number of reasons: it undermines the sense of pride that local people have in their community, and it makes Newry a less attractive place for people to visit, work, and socialise in."
Cllr Feehan said the SDLP is asking the Council to establish a pilot programme to incentivise the redevelopment of derelict and dilapidated buildings. He said: "If we can bring these derelict buildings back into productive use, we will improve Newry's appearance, increase footfall for businesses, and we can restore the sense of pride that local people have in our city."
The Motion - Revitalisation Project from Councillor Killian Feehan
This Council acknowledges the ongoing issue of dereliction and dilapidation in town and city centres across the District.
Council recognises that the revitalisation of these derelict and dilapidated buildings is crucial, not only for the aesthetic renewal of our towns but also for unlocking the potential of underutilised spaces, creating new opportunities for business, and enhancing both civic pride and quality of life for residents.
Accordingly, this Council calls for the establishment of a pilot programme aimed at incentivising the restoration and redevelopment of vacant and derelict properties in Newry and Downpatrick. This pilot programme should focus on providing financial incentives, such as grants, low-interest loans, or other forms of support, to property owners who are committed to refurbishing these buildings to bring them back into productive use.
This Council also requests that a report be brought to the relevant committee within 3 months outlining the steps to develop the pilot programme, including potential eligibility criteria, financial incentives, available funding sources from existing government initiatives, and timelines for implementation. Additionally, Council is requested to explore collaboration with government agencies, including the Department for Communities, the Department for Infrastructure, and other relevant bodies, to co-opt existing funding mechanisms such as the Urban Regeneration and Community Development (URCD) schemes or Neighbourhood Renewal funding to support this initiative.
