Kindle site may not cost a penny

Kindle site may not cost a penny

19 October 2016

NEWRY, Mourne and Down Council is hoping it won’t have to pay a penny for the former Kindle Primary School site in Ballykinlar.

The local authority is keen to acquire the Commons Road site for a new community centre in the village.

Last month it was revealed that the Education Authority had knocked £30,000 off its asking price for the prime site and was willing to sell it to the council for £50,000.

However, it has now emerged the local authority may be able to take possession of the former school site under a community transfer scheme which would see it handed over for nothing.

The scheme is a Department for Communities project which recommends that government departments which have surplus land can transfer this property for the development of new facilities including community centres or social enterprise developments.

At last week’s meeting of the local authority’s Strategy, Policy and Resources Committee it was confirmed council officials are in talks with Department of Education representatives and officials from Stormont’s Department for Communities and hope the Commons Road site can be secured at no cost to ratepayers.

Council director, Eddie Curtis, said local authority officials are liaising with departmental representatives about acquiring the land under the community transfer scheme and are awaiting a reply.

The former Down Council spent years trying to purchase the former school without success. The main building was recently bulldozed to prevent further attacks by thieves and vandals after local people expressed concerned about its condition.

Feasibility studies carried out by Down Council in 2009 and 2013 identified the need for community facilities in the village, and separate studies by the former South Eastern Education and Library Board identified the need for a full-time youth worker and dedicated youth rooms within the village.

Councillor Dermot Curran hopes the Commons Road site can be secured quickly. He also hopes council officials will liaise with the Ballykinlar and Tyrella Community Association and keep its members up-to-date.

“Education officials have previously highlighted the need for youth facilities in Ballykinlar and they may be able to assist with the development cost of the new centre,” he said. “What is now required is a road map that will ultimately lead to the redevelopment of this site for community use.”

Councillor Curran said the Commons Road site was valued at almost £600,000 in 2009 but over the years subsequent valuations have reduced. In February last year the asking price was reduced to £80,000 before being further reduced to £50,000.

He added: “I hope Newry, Mourne and Down Council’s bid to secure the site under the community transfer scheme is successful. The owners of the site are keen to dispose of it, while the local authority and residents in Ballykinlar and Tyrella are keen to see a new community centre constructed. It is a win win situation.

“Ballykinlar has sadly missed out on major public sector investment over many years and I hope that will soon change with plans for a much-needed community hub developed and brought to fruition.”