A major new £62.5 million retail development on the outskirts has been rejected by Council – but only just.
The proposals – submitted in the name of Damolly Developments back in March 2017 – had been earmarked for the site of the former HMRC custom house and clearance station at Carnbane Way.
However, planners at Newry, Mourne and Down COuncil had recommended councillors refust the application, which they did today (Wednesday).
Retail NI, Newry Chamber and Newry BID welcomed the news of the Carnbane rejection.
Matrix Planning Consultancy, Retail NI and Newry BID presented to the Committee this morning outlining their objection to the application.
The Committee voted 4-3 in favour of accepting the Council Planners’ recommendation to reject the application.
In a joint statement, Retail NI Chief Executive Glyn Roberts, Newry Chamber CEO Colm Shannon and Newry BID MD, Eamonn Connolly said: “This is a very welcome development and a good news story for Newry City Centre and its traders.
“If this application had been granted, Carnbane would have been a competing city centre, drawing away jobs, retailers, hospitality and shoppers and would have caused incalculable damage to Newry City Centre.
“It would have had a retail impact on Newry City Centre of nearly 30% and would have been completely contrary to the town centre planning policy and the local development plan.
“We want Newry City Centre to be the location for new retail stores”
“Our three organisations believe that Newry City Centre has a fantastic future providing a competitive 21st Century retail and hospitality offer which is fun and family-friendly for shoppers North and South”
“We need to build on Newry’s strong track record of being an eco-system of innovation and meeting head-on the challenges that Brexit presents to the city.”
