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Organisations participating in Newry, Mourne and Down District Council's, Newry City Centre Regeneration Project, Stakeholder Working Group have released a statement saying they welcome progress achieved on parking concerns they had relating to retention of car parking spaces behind Newry Cathedral as part of the proposed Civic Centre/ Council Offices.
The majority of parking spaces presently located behind the Cathedral were due to be removed as part of the new Civic Centre/ Council Office proposal, something that Newry Cathedral Parish and many business owners were totally against.
It seems though that agreement has now been reached and the Council is committed to the retention of 141 parking spaces behind the Cathedral with enhanced parking at the North Street Flats site.
The statement released said "The representatives of Newry City Centre business (BID), Newry Cathedral Parish and the representatives of Newry Arts groups on the Newry City Centre Regeneration (NCCR) Stakeholder Consultation Working Group on the NCCR Outline Business Case have all welcomed the progress achieved on parking.
"Parking was one of the primary areas of concern in the consultation on NCCR. The business, Church and arts groups welcome the fact that Council have undertaken to retain and improve surface car parking behind Hill Street and the Cathedral and see North Street car park protected and improved."
Asking for progress on the proposed park at the Albert Basin and the new Arts Centre, the statement continued "The stakeholders are also keen to see early progress on the Albert Basin Park and new Arts Centre. The stakeholders will continue to engage constructively with the working group to ensure the constituent elements of NCCR are aligned to the consultation and reflect the views of their members and the people of Newry"
Speaking about car parking Canon Francis Brown, Administrator of Newry Cathedral Parish said, “Having convenient car parking was a key priority for Newry Parishioners, particularly our elderly and vulnerable parishoners. We are content that the amount of car parking currently in place close to the Cathedral is now being retained.”
Jim McGuigan on behalf of Arts Groups said, “we welcome progress in respect of parking. We look forward to viewing the revised plans for the arts and theatre development, which should address the concerns around the façade of the new development on the Bank Parade / Town Hall side as it is in Newry’s conservation area.”
Eamonn Connolly, Manager of Newry BID said, “we want to see timely and impactful investment in Newry and partnership on keystones like parking provision is essential. This improved proposal from Council to retain existing parking is very welcome. Newry business looks forward to seeing early progress on the Arts Centre and Albert Basin Park.”
