Alliance Councillor Patrick Clarke has challenged Oaklee Housing Association to withdraw their planning application to build over fifteen apartments at the former Newcastle College site at 2 – 4 Donard Street in Newcastle.
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The old college site in Donard Street in Newcastle where a proposal for social housing by Oaklee Housing Association has been opposed by all of the local councillors.[/caption]
Oaklee Housing intend to hold a public meeting in Newcastle Centre on 19 June to outline proposals for another potential new social housing development at 1 Castlewellan Road in Newcastle.
Cllr Clarke said: “Oaklee Housing intend to hold a public meeting planned for 19 June in the Newcastle Centre to discuss proposals for another potential social housing development scheme in Newcastle situated at 1 Castlewellan Road beside Hunters Walk and the South Eastern Regional College.
“Regrettably Oaklee Housing have not responded to the vast local, business and political opposition regarding their planning application lodged since February 2012 to build over 15 apartments on the site of the former Newcastle College site situated at 2 – 4 Donard Street in Newcastle.
“It seems totally incredulous that Oaklee Housing on one hand want to invite people to a public meeting about proposals for a potential housing development on the Castlewellan Road in Newcastle and are totally ignoring local opposition to the Donard Street site proposal to build over fifteen apartments in the centre of Newcastle.”
“There seems to be a total and complete sense of ignorance by Oaklee Housing regarding wishing to build fifteen apartments for social housing in the middle of a business area part of Newcastle that is vastly used for socalising, drinking, dining, fast food outlets and taxi ranks.
“All elected representatives in the Newcastle electoral area have remained steadfast in their clear and determined united opposition to Oaklee Housing trying to secure planning approval to build social housing in this business and residential area of Donard Street in Newcastle.
“I have already written to Oaklee Housing advising that there still are a lot of tough questions to answer about their planning application for the Donard Street site in Newcastle and I will be ensuring they are held accountable at the forthcoming public meeting in Newcastle Centre,” added Cllr Clarke.
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