Newry: Aontú Concerned at Lack of Councillors at Civic Centre Vote

Aontú’s Reps, Sharon Loughran for Newry and Liam Reichenberg for Newry&South Armagh, respond to the NMDDC Planning Committee approving Civic Hub

The representatives stated:

It seems that the car crash that is the Newry Civic Centre continues. Only one third of The NMDDC Planning Committee, four councillors, voted to approve the Civic and Regional Hub project. Why? Only seven councillors on the committee turned up. Were the other five avoiding a hot potato decision? One walked out on foot of legal advice provided in confidential session. That begs the question – what was the legal advice?

Our councillors are growing ever increasingly deaf to replies and pleas from the public to find an alternative location or scrap the project. We are unaware of any single group other than the councillors and council officials who really want this building at this location.

Another concern was recently raised by a planning consultant, on behalf of Newry Parish, that the planning application fee was not paid in full, so not valid. More importantly, 2500 parishioners had objected to the project based on reduced parking availability when accessing Newry Cathedral. Businesses on Hill St also feared a loss of footfall with less parking.

The priorities of Councillors are clearly out of sync with the public. Indeed, the priority should be to regenerate the area around Hill Street by incentivising businesses, commerce, social and recreational opportunities.

None of these concerns has held much sway with the two parties at the heart of all this –  Sinn Féin and the SDLP.

Aontú feel the new NMDDC HQ, for that is what the Civic Hub really is, is not needed. There is sufficient existing office space. There are few permanent jobs created as ultimately it is a relocation of existing jobs. If a new Council HQ was actually needed, Abbey Way is still not the right location for it. Nothing about this project will improve services for ratepayers. The cost only adds to their financial burden.

Aontú feel it is time that the political parties in the Council concentrate on things people want and need, such as the City Park, and not on HQ buildings and ‘high in the sky’ gondolas.

ENDS