A NI council has broken its confidential seal to reveal details of its new forest park charging system.
Newry, Mourne and Down District Council’s has now confirmed that there will be no hourly car parking charges amid a secret debate on its latest cash collecting technology.
The recent strategy, policy and resources committee had approved a capital budget for charged parking, but kept all details behind closed doors.
The council has now contacted the Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS) to confirm:“Newry, Mourne and Down District Council confirms that there are no plans to introduce hourly car parking charges at its forest and country parks.
“The new automated parking system will use Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) technology while continuing the current permit and daily parking charge arrangements already in place.
“Importantly, free entry to one park of choice will continue to be available for every registered household within the Newry, Mourne and Down District Council area.”
The local authority previously approved daily visitor charges in 2024 despite an online petition of thousands of signatories and objections from some councillors.
At this time a family car is charged £5 per day and a £50 fee for buses with local residents provided a free permit for one forest park.
The latest committee report on the new technology was discussed in a confidential session with the public and media locked out.
Speculation mounted on the automation of charged parking with the technology ranging from number plate recognition barriers to pay and display hourly tickets and mobile phone apps.
However, the council has now taken a ground breaking transparency step to provide further clarity to the public.
A spokesperson added: “The council’s strategy, policy and resources committee agreed in June 2025 to introduce automated parking at its four forest and country parks.
“Following the procurement process, councillors approved an updated budget in August 2026, which is due to be ratified by full council in September.
“At no stage was the introduction of hourly parking charges considered.
“The new system is designed to improve the visitor experience by providing quicker, more convenient access to parks and reducing entry wait times.
“Visitor guidance and information will be provided for visitors prior to the system becoming operational.”
Many agenda items at committees in Northern Ireland’s 11 council districts continue to remain in confidential session due to legal advice on financial matters.
Media and members of the public are frequently requested to leave council chambers as councillors vote to move a meeting into a confidential session.
