Planning permission granted for new multi-million regeneration project in Newry

At a meeting of Newry, Mourne and Down District Council’s Planning Committee on Wednesday (September 2), members agreed to approve planning permission to deliver one of the district’s most transformative regeneration projects.

Known as ‘Newry City Park’, an area which is spread across a five-acre waterside location at the city’s Albert Basin, will be transformed into a vibrant, inclusive green space where people can relax, enjoy nature and take part in community events.

In a statement by the Council, they say residents and visitors will be able to enjoy waterside walks and natural play areas to urban sports areas and flexible event spaces, with links to the Carlingford Lough Greenway.

The centrepiece of the Council’s Newry City Regeneration Project is supported by £16.2 million in Complementary Funding through the Department for Communities.

Communities Minister Gordon Lyons said: “My department has worked closely with the Council to support the Newry City Park project, and I congratulate all involved in getting to this critical stage. Newry City Park is a major development that will bring significant economic, health, and wellbeing benefits to residents and visitors alike.”

Newry, Mourne and Down District Council Chairperson, Cllr Glyn Hanna said, “This Planning Committee decision turns the vision for Newry City Park into a real, deliverable project. Our residents have been looking forward to an inclusive, welcoming space to meet, play, walk, exercise and enjoy the waterfront.

“As well as enhancing their quality of life, the park will help showcase Newry, Mourne and Down and South Armagh as a fantastic place to live, visit, work and do business. With the process to appoint a contractor already underway, I’m excited to see work begin later this year.”

Co-Chairs of the Newry City Centre Regeneration Programme Board Councillors Doire Finn and Declan Murphy also welcomed the Planning Committee approval.

Cllr Finn said: “I want to thank everyone who helped Newry City Park reach Planning Committee approval, including our stakeholders and project partners. This once-in-a-generation investment will create a lasting legacy for our community. We’re excited to see work begin and watch this prime waterside space transform into a vibrant destination space for residents and visitors.”

“This is an important moment for all those who have envisaged a City Park for Newry,” Cllr Murphy added. “We are now seeing this ambitious vision become a reality and I look forward to the park beginning to take shape over the coming months. Thank you to everyone who has helped us reach this crucial milestone.”

Alongside this, other major public and private projects now moving firmly into delivery as construction has commenced on the Newry Theatre and Conference Centre.

Furthermore, the Department for Infrastructure and the Council are working together to deliver advance elements of Phase 2 of the Newry Flood Alleviation Scheme which aims to reduce the risk of flooding to properties in Newry. The first phase of the scheme was completed in 2023, and this next phase of works will support the delivery of the wider Newry Flood Alleviation Scheme currently under development.