Newry Project Regeneration Board Chairs Selected

Chair and Vice Chair Selected for Newry City Centre Regeneration Project Board.

Chair and Vice Chair Selected for Newry City Centre Regeneration Project Board.

The progression of Newry Mourne and Down District Council’s ambitious regeneration of Newry City Centre has reached an important milestone with the selection of a Chair and Vice Chair of the venture’s Project Board.

The regeneration of Newry city centre includes a new theatre and conference centre, civic building, and public realm.

Cllr Pete Byrne is elected as chairperson of the Newry City Centre Regeneration Board and Cllr Roisin Mulgrew is vice chairperson.

“These projects are vital to the recovery of the local economy, improving the wellbeing of our communities, and a welcome confidence boost to our local businesses including the construction sector.

Following the meeting on Monday 22 June, the newly elected Chairperson Councillor Pete Byrne said: “Elected members and Council officials have been working remotely during this lockdown period with our consultants to progress the Newry City Centre Regeneration (NCCR) project. 

“Significant progress has been made with design development work and consultations with our statutory authorities and the Outline Business Case for the Belfast City Region Deal funding has been submitted to the Department for Communities. 

“In addition to progressing the NCCR project, other key achievements have been made. These include the commencement of the pubic consultation for the Albert Basin Park, the first stage of an Outline Business Case has been approved by the Southern Trust for the acquisition of the site of the Council offices at Monaghan Row.

“Also the Department for Infrastructure Minister has recently announced the progression of the A1 junctions project, the Southern Relief Road, the Narrow Water bridge and the Ballynahinch bypass.“

Vice Chairperson, Councillor Roisin Mulgrew said: “These are all significant infrastructure projects for Newry Mourne and Down and will support the range of private sector, residential and commercial development that obtained planning approval across the district during the lockdown period.

“All councillors on the project board are fully committed to work with officials and stakeholders, to deliver a first class regeneration project for the city of Newry and the wider district of Newry Mourne and Down.”