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The next stage of the long running Newry City Park saga is expected to get underway at some stage this month with the submission of a full Planning Application for the facility. The news comes following an enquiry to Council from Newry.ie following a series of delays to the application submission.
In their reply to our enquiry a Council spokesperson said “The Planning Application for Newry City Park is currently being finalised and is due to be submitted this month.”
Campaigners have been lobbying for the provision of a 15 acre park at the Albert Basin site in Newry since 2014 so the news that planning is at long last being applied for will be welcome. When Planning Permission is granted the building of the park can commence.
Former Finance Minister Conor Murphy MLA awarded the park funding of £16.2m in December 2021 as part of the Stormont Executive’s City/Growth Deals Complementary Fund. Council are also making available £2.4m. Although almost £20m has been made available for the building of the park Council state that it will only cover phase one of the build.
Phase one is expected to contain green space, woodland areas, walking, cycling and running paths, changing places facilities, an inclusive play park, a sensory garden, an outdoor event space, water and urban sports areas, a plaza area for artisan markets and pop-up vending locations. There also should be upgraded links to Victoria Lock and the Greenway. Currently there are no plans or funding for a phase two.
The Park is due to be opened in May 2027 although it's not known if past delays will change this date.
