Sinn Fein minister 'washing her hands' of sewer problem that's blocked homes and businesses in Co Down town: Newtownards declared a closed catchment, but no fix for eight years

Newtownards has been declared a “closed catchment” by NI Water, meaning space in its sewer system is so limited that the firm won’t sign off on new homes or businesses being added to the area.

The situation is even hitting a scheme by the local council that’s meant to bring vacant commercial properties back to life, as there’s so little capacity that old premises could struggle to get reconnected.

Senior council officials and politicians were spurred to meet Infrastructure Minister Liz Kimmins over the issue, imploring her to do something in terms of planning procedures that would put the town on a level playing field, or check when improvements to its waste system will happen.

The Sinn Fein minister largely batted the ball back into local officials’ court, stating that planning issues are a matter for the council and not her department, while upgrades to the sewer system are an operational matter for NI Water.

In subsequent correspondence seen by the News Letter, Ms Kimmins reinforces that she is trying to get more money into the waste network through a combination of Executive budget boosts and contributions from property developers.

But, she revealed, NI Water is currently putting together a works schedule running from 2028 to 2033, and Newtownards probably won’t be in it. If so, it means nothing will done to fix the town’s sewer issues until at least 2034.

For area MP Jim Shannon, that’s not good enough. Describing the minister’s attitude as “dereliction of duty and obligation from the highest level”, he accused her of washing her hands of a serious situation.

“In fact, I’d invite her to come to Newtownards to attempt to wash her hands, as due to her refusal to act we may soon be without a good standard of water in existing properties,” he told the News Letter. “Strategic control belongs to her department; the work must be done by that department, and done soon.

“I have asked to meet with Liz Kimmins to go through this incredible response and underline the fact that, unless she performs her role appropriately and addresses the pumping and sewer stations crisis, growth in Newtownards and other areas will be stagnant.”

Fellow DUP politician Naomi Armstrong-Cotter, who sits on the local council, said she’s baffled by the minister pushing the situation back onto local officials.

“I cannot for the life of me understand what role the council could possibly have, as our responsibilities do not take in pumping and sewer works,” she said.

"The role of our planners is to work within the legislative framework, which is what they are seeking to do. For the minister to simply pass the buck to a council that does not have the funding she receives for this role is unconscionable, and must be challenged at every level.

“I have watched as a number of businesses have sought to locate in Newtownards town, only to go elsewhere because of the failings of this minister. It must end.”