The old generator house in Newcastle harbour is to be converted into a community hub says Cllr Truesdale
Alliance Mournes Councillor Jill Truesdale has said she is delighted to see the lease of the old generator house extended to 33 years, subject to Departmental consent at Thursday night’s SPR Council committee.
She said: “The Newcastle Harbour Heritage Association group are an excellent example of community empowerment.
“They have gained skills, resources, and control to improve their lives and the lives of many in the area.
“Through participation, dedication and many volunteering hours they’ve built capacity as a voluntary community group to address local needs.
“This is an old generator house and it was used to power the sewage plant, plans were laid to convert it into a community hub.
“At the time of the idea it was decided to put in showers, toilets, a community multi-purpose room and a small kitchenette, and through the scale of scrap metal and the kindness of local businesses their plans are firmly coming together.”
Jill added: “Newcastle harbour and Annalong harbour are vastly under utilised resources.
“They are both in slow decline yet hold so much shared history and culture for the Mourne community.
“It has been great to see the initiative taken by a group of ordinary people to not let Newcastle Harbour decline and show how old buildings can be repurposed and utilised for good.”
