Newry’s controversial £17m civic centre plans have survived a ‘call in’ process in chambers this week in a split decision by councillors.
The application for the new HQ for Newry, Mourne and Down District Council (NMDDC) was first lodged in 2019 and gained final approval in June for the Abbey Way site.
Councillors were engaged with almost two hours of legal advice and discussions during a full council meeting ‘call in’ review on Monday night (Aug 4).
In open session, Chairperson Philip Campbell (Sinn Fein) said: “Whilst in closed session it was agreed following a recorded vote that the result, which was 21 for and 11 against and no abstentions, to accept the legal advice that was provided.”
The local authority is made up of 41 elected members, with the vote indicating nine councillors missing from the meeting.
The Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS) understands that Alliance, with the help of independent councillors, registered their concerns to the council within days of the planning committee approval and generated a ‘call in’.
Seven elected members are required in terms of a percentage of councillors at NMDDC to request a review of council decisions, with Alliance having five seats at the time.
Alliance was contacted, and a spokesperson responded: “Due to the confidential nature of the meeting/vote last night, we would not be making comment at this point.”
The LDRS understands the ‘call in’ was viewed as having ‘no merit’ by the council’s adviser.
When the vote is officially ratified, a legal window timeline of 12 weeks will open to allow for a potential Judicial Review to be launched on the civic centre approval.
The plans have been dogged by controversy with more than 2,500 parishioners at the nearby Cathedral signing a petition opposing the building amid claims it will leave them no where to park during Mass.
NMDDC has previously referred to a parking survey (2023) of the Abbey Way site and has amended its HQ plans to provide 138 car park spaces at the site, which it says is above the maximum occupancy rates of mass-goers recorded.
The civic centre application was finally approved by less than half of the local authority’s planning committee following legal advice behind closed doors
The now former Alliance rep, Cadogan Enright walked out of the meeting telling fellow members, “I urge you all to do the same”.
Out of the 12 councillors on the committee, only six turned up for the 12 noon decision on (June 19) .
When put to a vote four members (3 Sinn Fein & 1 SDLP) voted in favour of the application, one against ( DUP ) and one abstained (SDLP).
