Public realm scheme likely to start in spring

Public realm scheme likely to start in spring

13 December 2017

DOWNPATRICK’S Irish Street is set for another major boost just a week after it was announced the area is in line for a major regeneration scheme to attract new businesses to the town centre.

In addition to ambitious plans to redevelop the former police base and a number of adjacent empty properties to provide a new retail and commercial centre, work on a £670,000 public realm scheme in Irish Street could start as early as next spring.

Design work on the environmental improvement project is ongoing with the scheme being financed by the Department for Communities and Newry, Mourne and Down Council.

The government department is providing £510,000 towards the cost of the project and the local authority is financing the remainder, which includes £26,000 for design work and amending a planning application which it is hoped can secure approval early in the New Year.

Local politicians also hope the Department of Communities will be able to release the funding it has committed to the scheme to allow work to start in Irish Street which missed out on a previous public realm scheme as result of the presence of the heavily fortified police base.

The former station closed two years ago after officers and civilian staff relocated to a new multi-million pound base at the Downshire Civic Centre.

An update on the progress of the Irish Street public realm scheme was outlined at Monday night’s meeting of Newry, Mourne and Down Council’s Enterprise, Regeneration and Tourism Committee. A commitment to provide new street lighting, paving and street furniture as part of a much-needed makeover has been welcomed by Downpatrick councillor, Dermot Curran.

He said Irish Street is in need of a revitalisation scheme and knows traders at this part of the town are pleased with the various plans which have recently been confirmed for the area.

“There was concern several years ago when Irish Street missed out on a £3m public realm scheme, but that is set to change and I am delighted,” he said.

“The removal of the security measures around the old police base has opened the area up and Irish Street is ripe for redevelopment. I have no doubt a public realm scheme will significantly enhance the ambitious plans to develop a new retail and commercial centre at this part of the town.”

Councillor Curran said the presence of empty properties does nothing to enhance Irish Street’s image and hopes all the necessary pieces in the public realm jigsaw will fall into place relatively quickly in the New Year.

“I am delighted the local authority is working alongside the Department of Communities and have no doubt the economic and environmental regeneration of Irish Street will transform this part of the town,” he continued.

Councillor Curran also hopes money can be secured to help existing traders and property owners in Irish Street redevelop their prospective properties “to help complete the revitalisation of this part of the town.”