A council facing over 2,500 objections to its new £20million civic centre has refused to comment on the large scale public rejection of its plans amid a “live planning process”.
Newry, Mourne and Down District Council was recently presented with letters from Catholic parishioners, showing their opposition to the local authority’s plan to construct its HQ close to Newry Cathedral on a carpark used by Mass-goers.
The Local Democracy Reporting Service has asked NMDDC to respond to the high volume of objections handed in by parish administrator, Canon Francis Brown.
A council spokesperson said: “This media enquiry relates to a project currently being considered under Newry, Mourne and Down District Council’s live planning application process.
“The council has therefore no further comment to make on matters due to be addressed in the formal planning process.”
Newry Cathedral car park
NMDDC has previously referred to a parking survey of the Abbey Way site and has amended its HQ plans to provide 138 car park spaces at the site, it says is above the maximum occupancy rates recorded of Mass-goers.
However, following a media query by the LDRS the council revealed it has been engaging with the Department for Communities to lease nearby lands at North Street, 150 yards away, to potentially develop a major pay and park facility. The site is currently a free parking zone used by city centre business employees.
North Street car park in Newry
Handing in the objections, Canon Francis Brown said:“We are merely asking the council to listen to the practising Catholic population in Newry.
“They deserve to be given a voice, and their wish is that the council should locate their new building elsewhere.
“The bicentenary of our wonderful Cathedral will be celebrated in 2029. Newry people are asking the council not to blight its appearance with a wholly inappropriate modern building – surely this is not too much to ask?
“The council should listen to the local community and put a halt to this expensive, unpopular and unnecessary project.”
