Sinn Féin have claimed that Planners are not heeding the community concerns by recommending approval for social housing apartment scheme at 2-4 Donard Street in Newcastle.
Cllr Willie Clarke said:xa0“The planning department are not listening to the views of residents or xa0elected representatives, this was evident at the recent Newcastle Councillor meeting with the Planning department. At this meeting xa0I made clear Sinn Féin reservations about the type of accommodation that is being proposed for this area; the housing style is totally out of character with the surrounding housing design in the area.”
[caption id="attachment_34084" align="alignleft" width="360"]
The old college site in Donard Street in Newcastle where a proposal for social housing has been drafted up by Oaklee Hoasing Association and is opposed by many in the community[/caption]“This style of accommodation for social housing at this location would be a recipe for disaster; the location is basically on the Main Street, close to public houses, off licences, fast food business and taxi ranks.
“To house young families in this type of accommodation at this location will create major difficulties for the children in regards to their safety and in regards to them having a suitable open space to play.
“Sinn Féin has continually supported social housing schemes in South Down, however this proposal is not suitable for the location, I have consistently expressed the view that xa0an alternativexa0housing scheme, which would have included town house accommodation with apartments on both ends of the houses, would have been more appropriate for the area and the community.
“The planners are again recommending approval for the scheme, as a council we will have to ask all our MLA’S to meet with xa0the Environment Minister to review this planning application,” added Cllr Willie Clarke.
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