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After over a year in progress Planners have recommended that Planning Permission be granted for two of Newry, Mourne and Down District Council's major projects, the proposed civic hub/ Council offices at Abbey Way and the proposed theatre and conference centre on the site of the Sean Hollywood Arts Centre.
Planning Permission was applied for in January 2023 for the theatre and in March 2023 for the civic hub.
The Theatre proposal is for a new four-storey theatre and conference centre extension to the Town Hall. Construction of atrium connecting theatre extension with town Hall. Demolition of the Sean Hollywood Arts Centre and No. 2 Bank Parade. Alterations and refurbishment of Town Hall and Public Realm work to a portion of Sugar island, portion of Needham bridge, portion of East side of Newry canal, area around Bank Parade and Kildare Street. The facility was estimated to cost £23m in 2023.
The proposed civic hub is to include a council room, meeting rooms, council offices and associated ancillary accommodation. It also will include public realm works to part of existing surface car park. An additional Conservation Area Consent application is also in progress. Legislation demands this has to be dealt with by the Department for Infrastructure DFI who will issue a Notice of Opinion after this Full application
has progressed through Planning Committee.
The civic hub planning recommendation received 2570 representations opposing the project with all but 40 from Church parishioners.
A sum of £8m for Public realm work at the theatre and the civic centre was awarded as part of the Belfast Region City Deal but the building of both facilities will be funded by Council.
Both applications have 22 draft conditions attached which application approvals are subject to.
The third major project for Newry City is the city park at the Albert Basin. Full Planning Permission is likely to be applied for this in December/ January coming.
It is expected that Newry, Mourne and Down District Council Planning Committee will meet in the near future to decide whether to approve the planners decision.
