Sign of growing confidence in Newry’s future

Speaking following last week’s council planning committee approvals, Newry BID manager Eamonn Connolly said it was encouraging to see a number of long-awaited regeneration and development projects being approved.

Among the projects approved were plans for regeneration of the former arcade site at 8-18 Sugar Island and Bank Parade. The proposal will bring the long-derelict site back into active use through the development of a new drive-thru restaurant, office accommodation and the reopening of the historic Carriage Arch access point.

The scheme will also tie into the wider public realm and regeneration activity linked to the development of Newry’s new theatre and conference facility.

Planning permission was also granted for the redevelopment of a ‘long-neglected site’ at 46 Monaghan Street, at the corner of Patrick Street. The application will see the creation of a new ground floor retail unit alongside nine two-bedroom apartments.

The approvals come alongside a number of other significant projects already progressing across the city, including the Newry City Park development; the new theatre and conference centre; and Southern Regional College’s ambitious £14.5 million Newry Innovation Centre on Patrick Street.

Mr Connolly said: “Over recent years there has been understandable frustration, at times, around the pace of development and regeneration projects within the city.

“What is encouraging now is that we are beginning to see visible progress across a number of major schemes at the same time.

“It is particularly important to see long-derelict and underused sites being brought back into productive use."

Mr Connolly added that while there was still work to do, it was important for the city to recognise and support positive momentum when it begins to emerge.

“Confidence is building and there is a growing sense that Newry is entering an important new phase of development,” he revealed.