Pressure mounts over future of former Downe

Pressure mounts over future of former Downe

A SENIOR politician has called for the former Downe Hospital site in Downpatrick to be developed as a new town centre hotel.

South Down MP Margaret Ritchie said the four acre site “offers major development potential” and revealed a representative of English-based investors will be visiting the Pound Lane site this week at her request.

Confirmation of the visit comes after it emerged the Planning Service has approved a concept plan for the former hospital site submitted by the Department of Health several years ago.

Among the proposals which could be built at the site are 40 houses and apartments, guesthouse accommodation and office space, but the local MP would prefer to see a new hotel being developed.

Miss Ritchie said a new hotel would become a “modern landmark” at a location which commands superb views of the surrounding area.

The MP also issued a reminder that the provision of a hotel is included in Downpatrick’s masterplan which is being spearheaded by the Department for Social Development.

Miss Ritchie said the former Downe should be a focus for job creation and provide economic value and sustainability for this part of the constituency.

“In that context, a new hotel would underpin jobs in construction and in actual business and act as an important tool in driving tourism for this area,” she continued.

“A new hotel would enhance Downpatrick’s tourism potential and act as an important economic driver. The site has been lying vacant for over three years and I have no doubt that had it been placed on the market at the height of the property boom it would have been snapped up.”

The main hospital and the building utilised as a dining area at the rear of the site are protected and cannot be bulldozed. However, the MP says there needs to be a “degree of flexibility” to allow new development to take place.

“The former Downe site offers a major opportunity and the person I have coming from England this week to look at it acts for potential investors. I would also encourage local developers to come forward to look at the potential of providing a base for visitors coming to explore this area’s rich heritage tourism,” the MP continued.

“There is an urgency to move at the former hospital site to prevent the buildings which remain from deteriorating further. This particular location needs properly managed and developed to maximise its potential.”

Miss Ritchie said she also believes the construction of a new hotel would provide a confidence building measure in the local economy and help it out of the current economic downturn.

The South Down MP also revealed this week that a Housing Association has expressed an interest in securing the former Pound Lane health clinic in Downpatrick once the former health buildings currently in place have been bulldozed. She said the provision of new social housing would blend in with existing homes at John Street and St. Dillon’s Avenue at this part of the town.