Newcastle Harbour Conservation Plan Launched

“As any harbour local can tell you, the harbor is the original ‘old town’ of Newcastle. It would seem timely that the old Newcastle should have some ‘new’ put into it now”. [caption id="attachment_25523" align="alignleft" width="400" caption="At the launch of the Newcastle Harbour Conservation Plan were Councillors Carmel O'Boyle, Dessie Patterson, and Liam Johnston, Down Council Vice Chairman, with Willie Clarke MLA, and Leo Paul, and Pamela McClelland of the Newcastle Harbour Regeneration Group, Sean McMullan, Local Businessman, Margaret Quinn, Down Council Project Development Officer, and Cllr Patrick Clarke."][/caption] In order to progress proposals for the Conservation Plan, Down District Council established a working group comprising Councillors Willie Clarke, Carmel O’Boyle and Dessie Patterson. Recently elected Newcastle Councilor Patrick Clarke has also been added to this group. Newcastle harbour and The Watch House is a scheduled monument which lies in the old townland of Bellaghbeg. The two piers are owned by the Council along with car parking space at the head of the harbour basin. These councillors along with Pamela McClelland, and Leo Paul of the Harbour Regeneration Group and Dermot Devine of Soak Seaweed Baths have worked with the Council’s Project Development Officer Margaret Quinn to develop the Conservation Plan. The Working Group appointed consultants Kriterion Architects to produce the conservation plan which was launched in the Annesley Hall. During the development of the plan, wide consultation was undertaken and many local individuals contributed by participating in workshops and completing questionnaires. The launch evening was arranged to thank all of those who gave up their time to contribute to the consultation and development of the plan. It is vitally important that any proposals for improvements to the harbour have the support of the local community. Therefore, the local contribution has been invaluable and is greatly appreciated. The Conservation Plan aims to: *  identify the cultural and historical signficiance of the site. *  set out a management and conservation strategy conistent with the site. *  Consider improvements to the wintering of boats. * propose solutions to quay repairs and silting up issues.]]>